AP INVESTIGATION: SC gov didn’t disclose flights
BRETT J. BLACKLEDGE and JIM DAVENPORT
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — An Associated Press investigation show South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford took dozens of flights on private planes that he didn’t report despite a state law requiring him to disclose who paid for the travel.
The AP discovered 35 flights Sanford took on private planes that he did not disclose on ethics or campaign reports. The flights are noted on calendars obtained through a public records request.
Sanford’s staff says he didn’t report the flights because longtime friends or political groups paid for them. But state ethics officials say Sanford must report his use of private planes even if friends pay.
Sanford has come under scrutiny since revealing an affair with an Argentine woman. He already faces a possible inquiry into his use of state aircraft.
E-mail this story
Printer-friendly version
Comments
lowcountrybarrister (anonymous) says...
You really have to wonder who is giving the Governor legal advice? He just admitted to a crime by admitting that he took the flights without reporting them. It makes absolutely no difference who paid for the flight. The law requires disclosure. The best thing his staff could have said was, "No comment."
Did the Governor hire incompetent counsel? Or does he just refuse to listen to the advice of counsel? Either way, there is no way he avoids impeachment now - using state planes to go to kids soccer games, kids football games and to political events is against the law. He could have used these private gift trips to go to ball games and political rallies but the law required him to report it.
What is wrong with this guy? He must be like Leona Helmsley and think that "only the little people" have to obey the law.
August 21, 2009 at 1:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
YouKnowMe (anonymous) says...
Liar liar pants on fire!
It's beginning to look a lot like impeachment everywhere you go!
August 21, 2009 at 1:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bookabooka (anonymous) says...
He's done.
August 21, 2009 at 2:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jblakeslee (anonymous) says...
Who ever thought you could mention the words: impeachment and Sanford in the same sentence?
August 21, 2009 at 2:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestonnative1963 (anonymous) says...
My name is Marky and I am above the law, I can do as I please and you cant stop me. SO: Legislative body--when is the impeachment going to begin...january is TO LONG to wait. Go into session and force him out.
August 21, 2009 at 2:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
In the words of Gomer Pyle, SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE!!!!!!
August 21, 2009 at 2:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DevilsAdvocate077 (anonymous) says...
Sanford is sort of going down like Al Capone. They could not get Capone on the sensational stuff like bootlegging and murder, but they got him on the technical tax evasion. Sanford is not getting removed due to the headlines and disgrace of his affair and family issues, but will be going down on the issue of not reporting flights.
August 21, 2009 at 2:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
A clear signal of who not to vote for when they run for reelection will be those legislators who do not demand and support impeachment.
August 21, 2009 at 2:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PollySci (anonymous) says...
I suppose his excuse this time will be that "everyone does it." What happened to that high-principled moralist supposedly sleeping on a futon? Now he's being jetted around by rich pals, when he's not in first class (because he needs to be clear-headed, unlike his hoi polloi staff in coach).
Disgusting hypocrisy.
August 21, 2009 at 3:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Southern_Cousin (anonymous) says...
Everyone is SC government has their hand in the cookie jar - so what? It has been evident to me for several years that no one is watching - so I have just assumed that no one really cares. It's just business as usual in SC. Just another day.
August 21, 2009 at 3:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
It continues to come out. I am beginning to think that all of the time that he spent in Congress about him sleeping in his office was all a lie too. I bet he had some really lavish renedezvous at some really posh DC hotels...
August 21, 2009 at 3:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
vmirat90, a Columbia based blog claims he actually had an apartment in DC paid for by someone else. This is an ethics violation since it was not disclosed.
August 21, 2009 at 4:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
wow...the hits just keep on rolling for him, don't they, CNSYD?
August 21, 2009 at 4:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MANDO (anonymous) says...
SANFORD 2012! I'll even pay for his gas to get around the state. Just say Mando footed the bill, they don't need to involve my real name. Heh.
August 21, 2009 at 5:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RuleNumberOne (anonymous) says...
The GOP really does believe in that Trickle down theory. I just didn't know it applied to truth and public disclosure. So much for transparency. There is a glimpse in how his staff is treated too- he sits in first class while they sit in the cheap seats. You wouldn't expect that from Mr. Pennypincher, would you??
August 21, 2009 at 5:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
RuleNumberOne, I have always heard that whenever someone tells you how much money they are going to save you, you better firmly place your hand on your wallet. Pennypiching is for we common folk not King David.
August 21, 2009 at 5:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
THIS JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER!
Sanford used the private planes, including some owned by supporters, to fly around the state for political functions, to attend sporting events with supporters and, at times, to go on vacation with his family, the calendars show. In one 2005 trip, the family took Sanford supporter J.T. Gandolfo's Cessna to the Bahamas for "personal time" and returned on a King Air whose owner was not identified in the governor's records.
Sanford frequently used Gandolfo's planes, records show. In November 2003, he used the King Air to travel to Clemson and Spartanburg for county political events; in August 2005, he used Gandolfo's Cessna to return from Atlanta after a family vacation, according to Sanford's office calendars.
The governor also used a plane co-owned by Joe Taylor, a friend and supporter who was named head of the state's Commerce Department. In December 2005, Sanford's calendar shows he flew on Taylor's plane to return from a Christmas party.
Sanford also used Taylor's plane to attend an economic development event in May 2007.
Sanford also used private planes provided by political groups and the Republican Governors' Association, which he headed until he publicly admitted the affair.
Sanford arranged to meet with his mistress in one of the 2008 RGA trips that he did not disclose. He had been traveling to Ireland for RGA in November, and arranged a meeting with the woman when he returned. Hazelwood said such trips funded by political groups should be disclosed to the state.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/...
August 21, 2009 at 6:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Columbia attorney Karl Bowers, who was asked by the governor to respond to the latest allegations...
Bowers said of the governor's 400+ trips on private planes there were "maybe six or seven" trips that he said might be subject to the reporting requirement.
But Cathy Hazelwood, general counsel for the state Ethics Commission, said "all of the governor's flights on private planes "need to be disclosed somewhere."
"South Carolinians are again asking themselves whether this governor is so arrogant that he thinks the law doesn't apply to him, or so ignorant that he thinks he can get away with breaking any rules that inconvenience him," said state Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler. "Whether Mark Sanford's current problems are caused by his arrogance or ignorance, it's clear that many of South Carolina's problems are caused by his failure to be an effective governor."
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mullins McLeod renewed his call for Sanford's resignation, saying he would personally deliver to Sanford a signed petition demanding the governor step down.
"He has misused his office, misused taxpayer money, and now we learn he has been taking valuable gifts under the table," McLeod said Friday. "It appears he's committed a serious crime. We need a governor who is worried about creating jobs, instead of just worried about keeping his own."
http://www.wtoctv.com/Global/story.as...
August 21, 2009 at 6:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mon_Kie (anonymous) says...
I never understood how living at the office rent free, with all utilities covered, was such an honorable thing to do. I don't think my employer would go for it.
August 21, 2009 at 10:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mkris (anonymous) says...
Lets get this straight... Sanfraud is going to play out his term. McConnell does NOT want the least powerful position in state Government. All the other republ-u-turds running for Governor don't want Bauer to have the pulpit until the election. So it will be a big wind blowing from Columbia until the election, nothing more.
August 21, 2009 at 11:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full Terms and Conditions.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Shared
- Upper King on rise: Hotels, apartments, restaurants changing face of downtown area
- Missing woman case gets murkier
- Texts from missing Mount Pleasant woman's phone 'normal'
- Missing woman's fiance found dead in his home
- Body of missing woman's fiance was found near handgun
- Pinterest: Pinning hopes and dreams
- DAVID SLADE: S.C. offers hybrid car tax credit
- Facebook posts may cost you a job
- Magnolia Gardens offering free dream wedding to contest winner
- Black women today: Strong. Resilient. Ambitious.
