Was Sanford's use of state SUV proper?
By Tony Bartelme
As a congressman, Mark Sanford was a tight-fisted opponent of government spending who slept on a cot in his office instead of paying for more comfy Washington digs.
But last week, Sanford reportedly dismissed his security detail and took a state-owned sport-utility vehicle on a personal trip to the mountains. Some question whether it's proper for the governor to use a government vehicle in such a way.
State Sen. John M. "Jake" Knotts Jr., a retired law enforcement officer from Lexington County, said a State Law Enforcement Division vehicle assigned to the governor likely had weaponry, armor, blue lights and other features found in police cars.
Knotts said people who drive such vehicles typically must be commissioned law enforcement officers.
"Let's just say this: I'm a retired police officer with 30 years of service, and I can't go out there and get in a SLED vehicle and drive it away," he said.
Knotts said that if an unauthorized person drove off in a SLED vehicle "they would go to jail."
Officials with SLED did not return numerous phone calls or e-mails Monday seeking information about the governor's use of the agency's vehicles.
Asked about the issue Tuesday afternoon, Sanford's press secretary, Joel Sawyer, said: "I'm not going to get into any specifics of his travel arrangements." The Post and Courier has requested information about the trip under the Freedom of Information Act.
Three years ago, Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom was criticized for taking a state vehicle on a 2004 vacation to Minnesota and paying for fuel with a state gas card. Eckstrom apologized and noted he had repaid the state $669.40.
Knotts said he had other questions about the use of a state vehicle. "Where was this vehicle parked? In the Atlanta airport? Or an Appalachian Trail parking lot? And how would the state Insurance Reserve Fund justify it if there were a wreck?"
Knotts, a Republican who has nevertheless crossed swords with Sanford over various political issues, said SLED doesn't need this distraction. "Their job shouldn't be made harder because of a lack of communication with the governor," he said. "But he has the same problem with the Legislature."
Reach Tony Bartelme at 937-5554 or tbartelme@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
stanish (anonymous) says...
His actions should be thoroughly investigated, and if he's at fault, he should be held ACCOUNTABLE! This guy could've spared the people of this state the unwarranted negative press and comedian jokes by being a professional! Most are saying this is a private matter, but he is NOT a private citizen. He is the Chief Executive of S.C. and with that comes responsibilty!
No one is depriving him of sometime off, he just needs to follow procedures, and as the govenor set the EXAMPLE by notifying the people in the chain of command. As far as his security, no worry there. This loser is NOT worth anyone's time or energy since he's been a total failure as govenor.
June 24, 2009 at 3:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
DITTO on stanish's comment!
June 24, 2009 at 6:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MP (anonymous) says...
Stanish, you continue to impress us with your stupidity.
June 24, 2009 at 6:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
issuetaker (anonymous) says...
Hold Air Pelosi accountable first. Besides,using the logic of the legislature, since the taxpayer was going to have to pay for it anyway, why not use it?
June 24, 2009 at 7:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Oh, oh, oh, the agony of this is too much...
June 24, 2009 at 7:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mosinfan (anonymous) says...
This guy Knotts is a complete idiot. He says...
"Let's just say this: I'm a retired police officer with 30 years of service, and I can't go out there and get in a SLED vehicle and drive it away," he said.
Thats because your not the governor you idiot! I would expect that the governor, who is the chief executive of the state should be able to request a SLED vehicle at any time when he dismisses his security detail.
This is a non story that is being imbellished by this asinine legislator that has political differences with the governor. He doesnt realize with his statements getting broadcast nationwide he sounds like a complete jackass.
June 24, 2009 at 7:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rgsno (anonymous) says...
Knotts is a JACK ASS! Leave the governer alone, he did nothing wrong.
June 24, 2009 at 7:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mb300sl (anonymous) says...
Someone needs to ask Jakie about the story of his black shoeshine boy who worked at his wife's bar...I bet he won't tell that story on TV...
June 24, 2009 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BlackReign (anonymous) says...
mosinfan & rgsno, agreed!
June 24, 2009 at 8:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cwmcpa (anonymous) says...
All this crying over a car and when it cost 25K to fly the current president to dinner and a show, well he needs the break. I love how Mr Sanford is pulling these peoples chains and getting the reactions that were so inticately planned out. Mr Knotts can you spell retirement and election defeat. If not it will be reality come November 2010.
June 24, 2009 at 8:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
Sanford should be investigated for theft and misuse of government property. How fiscally responsible is using state resources for a personal trip? Typical republican, do as I say not how I do!
Sanford is a mental case and a fraud.
IMPEACH!!
June 24, 2009 at 8:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestonian (anonymous) says...
Perhaps the P&C ought to look for the latest facts before posting the story. All I see here is the P&C trying to bash the Governor to push there views. There was video of the SUV parked at the Columbia airport, so NO he didn't take it to the Mountains, it never even left Columbia.
Leave him alone, he is entitled to some time off now and then. We all get time off and vacation time from our employers, why shouldn't he? He just wrapped up the legislation session, which I'm sure was a lot more stressful job then most of the people who are complaining about here have to deal with.
June 24, 2009 at 8:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
freetospeak (anonymous) says...
Maybe the salmon and grits sent by Sarah Palin to Mark Sanford and the shrimp and grits sent to Sarah Palin by Mark Sanford is beginning to tighten up and relations between the two are beginning to butter up. leaving the two hot and sticky...yummy yum yum yum
June 24, 2009 at 8:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jj2day (anonymous) says...
wow/lots of opionions on sanford!if he did something wrong ,lets wait and see if he admits 2 it.he is upset because he was forced 2 take money from washington.but i dont believe grown men ,especially in a position of power should just up and leave,he's the GOVERNOR ,he has to be accountable for all his travels!i'm sure he has vacation time that allows him 2*clear his head*.time 4 new leadership in SC.
June 24, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ed52 (anonymous) says...
Oh my , did the bad little governor ruffle your feathers. He forgot to ask your permission! he he he chuckle chuckle poor libs and obama media . sanford don't need a camera for his every move "like the president" .
June 24, 2009 at 9:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
USA Today is reporting that Sanford said he was in Argentina.
If true this idiot left the country with out telling anyone where he was going. Is this the actions of someone with our states best interest in mind or his own?
June 24, 2009 at 9:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
maeko (anonymous) says...
he used a gov't car to drive to the mountains. i wonder why? maybe he needed an SUV.
i don't really see what the big deal is. he didn't fly his family to bermuda on the taxpayers' backs. he didn't buy himself a hooker and $5k in clothes. he used a car and maybe a little gas money.
sure, he probably shouldn't have and we don't need everybody doing it, but i think there are far more egregious acts of tax dollar waste that should be addressed.
it's water under the bridge at this point. no harm, no foul.
June 24, 2009 at 9:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BlackReign (anonymous) says...
realamercicanleftist, Taxpayers footed the bill for the big night on the town, which included a total of at least $24,000 for the three aircraft used to ferry the Obamas, aides and reporters to New York and back.
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
Spare us the hypocrisy.
June 24, 2009 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
Much to do about nothing. Who really cares besides the whackos?
Oh yeah and some how I knew Obama would be mentioned. The faux outrage by both sides is funny. Your side wasted more money than mine. What a bunch maroons.
June 24, 2009 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
You folk need to get a grip. I don't care WHO is President, any trip, not matter how small, costs big bucks. Do you not think that 8 years of numerous trips back and forth from Crawford, TX cost mega bucks? The President is provided a house and a retreat (Camp David). What else is needed?
June 24, 2009 at 10:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MRSCVS (anonymous) says...
Who cares this is just to much coverage about a lackluster governor.
I say he ran and hideout because of his loss with the stimulus among others things.
JMO
June 24, 2009 at 10:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
LoL! Sanford is going to have a press conference to explain his strange actions at 2pm today. He was in Argentina.
This should be interesting. He left for an "exotic", his words, location over the Fathers Day weekend without his wife? As if that isn't bad enough he didn't bother to tell her or his staff where he was going. His staff, being the republican liars they are, acted all along like they knew where he was lying to everyone.
If we are lucky it will have been a woman he slinked away to be with. Him being a "family values conservative" means that it was probably with another man as "bathroom" republicans are famous for.
He has left little doubt that he is not fit to be governor let alone any higher office.
June 24, 2009 at 11:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
79Razorback (anonymous) says...
And George Bush and all the Presidents before him used horses and buggys to get around.
June 24, 2009 at 11:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
no, they used teleportals, 79! God! get with the program!
June 24, 2009 at 12:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
IMPEACHMENT now on the table!
http://features.csmonitor.com/politic...
Yes! At least we can rid ourselves of one of the filthy republicans who have ruined our state.
June 24, 2009 at 2 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stanish (anonymous) says...
Posted by MP on June 24, 2009 at 6:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Stanish, you continue to impress us with your stupidity.
Just speak for YOURSELF! Red-Necked Hick!
June 24, 2009 at 3:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
postman01 (anonymous) says...
He just admitted to an affair with a woman from Argentina. Lay off, people. You've won this particular catfight.
June 24, 2009 at 3:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
BAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
At least it was a women!
Now let's impeach him for spending $20,000+ on the trip taxpayers paid for him to go to Argentina on "state business".
I can hear the hypocrite now, "Forgive me lord for I have sinned".
BAHa HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!
Did I say LOL?
June 24, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cgreene (anonymous) says...
Let's see....Governor refuses money to help taxpayers...then uses tax payer money to secretly drive to an airport...abandons his post...visits his other 'love'...lies to his family and the voters about where he is...lies when first asked about his trip "I wanted to do something exotic"...lol...and your asking me if what he did with the vehicle was improper????...WAKE UP AND SMELL THE FRIED SNICKER BARS OR WHATEVER YOU CAROLINIAN'S DINE ON. WOW. THE STATE IQ IS ALSO THE AVERAGE WAIST SIZE.....48.
June 25, 2009 at 12:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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