Of all the untenable positions Mark Sanford has put himself in, this is one of the thorniest: The one-time crusader for extreme frugality is now accused of using taxpayer dollars wastefully.
Moreover, as the South Carolina governor clings to power, he is putting his state through the drip-drip-drip of water torture.
He already faced possible impeachment proceedings in the legislature next year. Now he faces unspecified ethics -- or even criminal -- charges related to his travel spending.
The State Ethics Commission found Wednesday that there is probable cause to believe Sanford committed unspecified violations in spending. News reports have alleged he spent too much on commercial airline tickets and violated travel rules regarding state and private planes. There are also questions about his use of campaign money, allegedly for personal expenditures.
The commission will announce a future hearing date on the charges Monday, along with the actual charges.
The commission was careful to note that its decision at this point is only a finding of probable cause, which is far from guilt. So noted.
But at the very least, it's clear Sanford broke faith with his constituents and his staff. He lied about his whereabouts during his last trip to see his mistress in Argentina -- saying he was hiking on the Appalachian Trail.
And, of course, now come the allegations that he was riding in style when his public persona was all about pinching pennies.
Given what has transpired and what now awaits, we have to ask Mr. Sanford what his Personal Redemption Tour is doing for -- or costing -- South Carolina.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Mark Sanford lost it to his midlife crisis. In about 10 years we need a follow-up story. "Whatever happened to Mark Sanford?"
no, a followup story is not necessary. no one will probably remember or even care who mark sanford is in ten years, except maybe his squinky-soulmate-with-a-mustache in argentina. furthermore, why is anyone surprised or outraged about a politician lying and using money for his own selfish purposes? this is the politician lifestyle. this is what they do: use the taxpayer's money to further their own ends. they are worse moochers and freeloaders than anyone on welfare or ssi. remember all the jokes that made fun of lawyers? well, in this day in age, substitute the word 'politician' for 'lawyer' and you'll have 'em rolling in the aisles at work.
Sanford sure messed up his political career. Now he's accused of many things, but is it more than accusation? Dems want him out because they're anti-Repub and Repubs want him out because he's an easy target for their political enemies. Both side want him out because of his previous frugal stand. Now he's accused.... but why is it taking so long to prosecute? If he's guilty of all of these other things, what's the delay. Everything he's accused of is a matter of public record, why no charges yet? Sanford will never be reelected and all of the articles in the world won't unseat him. Guilty or not, (of the current accusations), the state congress sure is hesitant about bringing charges.
I agree Johnston,, BRING ON THE CHARGES,,where are they? Very few people can continue on with this kind of pressure,,they know that..He needs to talk to B. Clinton,,one of the few..
Yawn. This story is still running?
its nothing more than a witch hunt and they will fail
I agree confederate american. I only wish they would dig as deep into every politicians pocket as they have Gov. Sanford. They haven't brought any charges because they can't find enough to prosecute. As long as they can make the "accuusations" and destroy this man's life, then they've achieved their goal. Sad thing is it's hurting the state in the process. I agree he did wrong with his adultry but let him and his wife work out that situation, as for "news reports" on him spending too much on airline tickets, compare them to other politicians and see where he stands.
Well, DUH! Ain`t that the Republican way???
He should do the honorable thing like Edmund Ruffin did, drape himself in the confederate flag and end it all with a minnie ball.
Oh brother, here come the LuvGuv's right-wing-nut defenders, exemplified by InChristLove. LuvGuv is quite clearly and unambiguously a narcissistic, self-absorbed, adolescent, mendacious, hypocritical dope. Now, that pretty well sums up the characteristics of most politicians, Demon-rat and Republi-con. But, folk like InChristLove are so anxious to defend these bums when they are promoting the crazy positions with which they happen to agree, in this case a rabid and none-too-bright Republi-con LuvGuv. The LuvGuv got his money from inheriting large tracks of land, formerly known as "plantations." Consequently, the LuvGuv likes to relate with rank-and-file SC citizens as the LuvGuv's ancestors related to their hired (unpaid and involuntary) help. That is, with disdain and moral turpitude. And, these are the same LuvGuv defenders who were saying that reports of his infamous absence from his office were scurrilous, instantiated, and false. I suppose his defenders were right after all -- since it was just a simple misunderstanding. The LuvGuv's staff thought he said he was going on the “Appalachian Trail,” but he actually said he was going after some “Argentinian Tail.”
confed and ChristLove, the "they" in your witch hunt claims is the SC State Ethics Commission. A non-partisan state govt commission whose sole duty is to make sure the govt is adhering to the intent of state law.
ChristLove, just for fun, substitute Pres. Bill Clinton for Gov. Sanford in your 10:50am post.
Personally, I think he should go the same way Bill Clinton went. Oh that's right, he never went anywhere did he? Well, at least Sanford didn't have sex with someone that worked for him, which should have gotten Clinton some jail time at the very least. Do I feel sorry for him? No, he was acting like a teen-ager with raging hormones. He should get whatever he deserves.