The S.C. Supreme Court will decide whether or not Gov. Mark Sanford can keep the State Ethics Commission (whose members he appoints) from releasing a preliminary finding of fact to state lawmakers, and by extension, the public.
In a ruling issued Thursday, Chief Justice Jean Toal instructed the Ethics Commission to respond with five days to a “writ of mandamus” submitted by Sanford’s attorneys earlier this week. Sanford’s “writ” seeks to block the Commission from providing an advance copy of its preliminary findings to lawmakers – an action which could easily trigger impeachment proceedings against the governor.
Lawmakers themselves are feeling the pressure, as several prominent leaders of the state’s so-called “business community” have made it clear that they want Sanford gone sooner rather than later. Lamentably, we agree with them.
Previously, Sanford had said that he would allow the Commission to conduct its investigation in the open.
Sanford’s record with the Supremes is not good. He won a case early in his first term that allowed him to serve concurrently as governor and as an Air Force reservist, but since then the state’s highest court has not seen things his way very often.
This could be a defining case for him, too.
Earlier this summer, Sanford admitted to having an extramarital affair with his Latin lover, Maria Belen Chapur, an acknowledgment which has prompted intense scrutiny of all aspects of his administration. Examinations of the governor’s travel, in particular, have yielded a number of abuses – beginning with a 2008 trip to Argentina that appears to have been arranged entirely for the purpose of permitting Sanford to see his lover.
Sanford refunded taxpayers for his expenses related to that trip (a year after the fact), but he has not reimbursed taxpayers for the time and resources that went into setting it up.
Additionally, Sanford has received first-class plane ticket upgrades in violation of state policy, misused the state plane for personal and political reasons and failed to report numerous airplane flights that were provided to him by friends and political allies. Most recently, it has been alleged that Sanford’s failure to report some of the flights provided to him could expose him to a tax liability.
Sanford has denied any wrongdoing and fended off literally dozens of calls for his resignation.
By Strom's Daughter October 1, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Maria Belen Chapur released a statement through her lawyer:
“Please cease and resist thees calling me the ‘lover’ of Mark Sanford, immediante. Yo prefer mi title of Senorita Soul Mate, which ees very much higher than only ‘lover,’ you may clearly see, because no supreme junta of South Carolina can overthrow thees title from me.
“Marco is a Soul Mate Primero Classe but also a Hole Mate Magnifico, because he know very well how to deeg the holes on hees plantation soils and all the other places of significance on the woman. Gracias y adios, Maria Belen Chapur.”
By Wildman October 1, 2009 at 10:14 pm
This will go just like his so called stimulus battle up in flames, this idiot thinks his version of the law gives him the right to do anything he wants.
By AMAZING October 1, 2009 at 10:56 pm
I suspect that the South Carolina Supreme Court is going to blister Sanfraud over this one.
Just like Chief Justice Jean Toal did the last time Sanfraud went crying to the Supreme Court over the Stimulus Funds, Toal is going to blister Sanfraud’s rear-end.
Sanfraud handles his court cases like he rides a bicycle, Sanfraud turns left when everyone else is turning right.
By Laura Campbell October 1, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Sanford has a problem with something, anything in his life being made public? After the whole forgiveness tour, the soul mate thing, etc? Sheesh…
By Just Thinking Ahead October 2, 2009 at 2:25 pm
When the impeachment trial begins in the Senate, one potential defense that Sanfraud’s attorney might consider is “insanity”; that he lacks the mental capacity to understand “right” from “wrong” and therefore, he should not be held accountable for his acts. After all, it’s common knowledge that those with mental illness often stray away from home and go missing for days at a time; they often have “delusions” about being powerful and influential; and they can become “paranoid” that there are groups of people “out to put them on trial in a kangaroo court.”