Sanford resolves to stay put despite scandal
By TAMARA LUSH
AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford gestures as he talks outside his Sullivans Island home Sunday. Sanford said he will not resign in light of the admission of his year-long affair with a woman from Argentina, but instead will finish out the remaining 18 months of his term.
SULLIVANS ISLAND - Gov. Mark Sanford says he's not quitting - even though he considered it - despite intense scrutiny and criticism over his admitted affair with a woman from Argentina.
That woman, 41-year-old former television reporter Maria Belen Chapur, acknowledged Sunday that she had a relationship with Sanford and that the matter has been "very painful to me, my two children, my entire family and close friends."
Sanford is scheduled to chair a state budget board Monday, which would be his second public meeting as governor after a state cabinet gathering Friday that drew live national television coverage and where he apologized to fellow state leaders.
In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, Sanford said Sunday he thought about stepping down and away from the public eye to rebuild his life. That was until close spiritual and political associates urged him to instead fight to restore people's trust and finish out the 18 months left in his term.
"Resigning would be the easiest thing to do," he said.
He's facing endless questions about the affair, including whether he used public money to visit his lover and if his 20-year marriage will survive. Add to it a barrage of criticism from South Carolina politicians who think the two-term Republican should resign.
"Part of walking humbly is you've got to listen to your critics out there," the 49-year-old Sanford said. "And all of us will have critics, and the higher you go, I suppose, the more critics you have."
Sanford spoke outside his family's beach house on Sullivans Island. He, his wife, Jenny, and four sons were in separate cars, headed to his family's farm - where his 83-year-old mother lives - in Beaufort, an hour south.
"I am sorry," he said. "I apologize for letting everyone down."
When Sanford returned to South Carolina last week after spending several days in Argentina and out of touch with his staff, he admitted to a yearlong affair with the woman he has known for about eight years. He did not identify her.
Chapur, a divorced mother of two sons, said in a statement to news network C5n of Buenos Aires that she would not talk about her private life, which has already been the focus of intense media scrutiny in the U.S. and Argentina.
The graduate in political science from the Catholic University of Buenos Aires said that e-mails from her relationship with Stanford were leaked to a South Carolina newspaper after someone accessed her Hotmail account without permission late last year. The State newspaper did not publish the steamy e-mails until last week.
"I have decided to send this statement to clear up certain incorrect things that are being reported, and put an end to a matter," Chapur said in the statement addressed to anchor Eduardo Feinman, who read it on camera. Feinman was Chapur's editor when she worked briefly as a television reporter in 2001.
Chapur said she would make no more statements, leaving the public face of the scandal to be Sanford's slow and surely painful return to work as governor.
Some lawmakers want his resignation because he secretly visited his mistress during a state-funded 2008 trip, and because he was out of touch with his staff during his recent weeklong visit to Argentina to see her. His staff had told the public he was hiking the Appalachian Trail before the real story of his mysterious absence became known.
Sanford has agreed to reimburse the state for some of the more than $8,000 in taxpayer money spent on the Argentina leg of the economic development trip to South America last year. On Sunday, he repeatedly said he never used public money to see the woman.
The governor's efforts to stay in office appear, in the minds of some lawmakers, to hinge in part on his ability to salvage his marriage. While several critics want a criminal probe and others want him to step down, reconciling with the first lady does have sway among legislators.
"That's almost become a proxy for how some are looking at this. They're looking at Jenny," said state Sen. Tom Davis, a Beaufort Republican and former Sanford chief of staff.
When it comes to his critics - most notably Republican state Sen. Jake Knotts - and their calls for him to step down, Sanford said he understands where they are coming from.
"I don't begrudge the Jakie Knottses of the world," Sanford said. "He's going to do what he's going to do. I got to do my part."
As far as his marriage, Sanford said he and his wife are working on it.
"If there wasn't healing going on, I wouldn't be here," he said, pointing to his beach house.
---
Associated Press Writer Jim Davenport in Columbia and Eduardo Gallardo in Buenos Aries, Argentina, contributed to this report.
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worldnic3 (anonymous) says...
and he should stay put! No reason for him to leave now since his term is almost over...
June 29, 2009 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jblakeslee (anonymous) says...
"No reason for him to leave".....How about that adultery is against the law? Check out SC codes of laws, section 16.
June 29, 2009 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
Any Republican that suggest he stay needs to re-examine their conservative ideology.
June 29, 2009 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
studley (anonymous) says...
Any Military Lawyers out there?
Sanford is a member of the USAF Reserves. Can he receive a Court Martial under either Articles 77 or 134 of the UCMJ? Conduct unbecoming? Bringing discredit?
Only if he was on weekend duty?
June 29, 2009 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whocares51 (anonymous) says...
As an old baseball saying goes, "Throw the bum out!"
June 29, 2009 at 10:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
MarÃ-a Belen Chapur
(Argentina)
http://www.facebook.com/people/Maria-...
June 29, 2009 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Governor Mark Sanford booked 10-day getaway
Sanford booked the trip on Delta Air Lines on June 10, using the company's SkyMiles program, the source said. He bought a ticket for June 18, returning June 28.
The bookings also cast light on the governor's recklessness, and his belief, or hope, that he could vanish from the state for well over a week without raising questions about his absence.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmit...
June 29, 2009 at 10:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GeorgetownCountyRes (anonymous) says...
"In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, Sanford said Sunday he thought about stepping down and away from the public eye to rebuild his life. That was until close spiritual and political associates urged him to instead fight to restore people's trust and finish out the 18 months left in his term."
It's nice that his "close spiritual and political associates" want Sanford to make the remainder of his term all about him. Personally, I'd prefer that he spend his remaining months in office doing some good for the state, but hey, why start now.
June 29, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
R_U_Kidding_Me (anonymous) says...
It's not about the affair. The media won't let go of that because it's juicier news. He should step down while being investigated for misuse of state funds and failing to report his whereabouts to his staff. He is an embarisment to our state, but that's just a political opinion. He should be investigated for possible criminal wrong doing, and I don't mean that lame adultry law.
June 29, 2009 at 10:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
furmangirl1998 (anonymous) says...
Like Cal Thomas said in his column, Sanford should be asking forgiveness from God and not "understanding" from the folks of SC. Give me a break--Sanford needs to stop with those comparisons of himself and Biblical references. Good grief, he needs to recall the Garden of Eden, if anything!
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/...
As far as him resigning, he is already a lame duck and Clinton did the same thing and he stayed in office. And think of the alternative IF Sanford did resign. Let him stay in office and wiggle like the little worm that he turned out to be. He will have to preface every speech or meeting that he has going forward with either an apology or another Biblical comparison for his fall from grace. He knew better, all human beings know better than what he did. The weak ALWAYS give in to their base desires, a story as old as man...
June 29, 2009 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Carlos Soto, owner of Guido's Bar, says Governor Mark Sanford and Maria Belen Chapur have stopped in several times over the last few months - most recently last week, while Mark Sanford was - wink, wink - hiking the Appalachian Trail to decompress after a tough legislative session.
Soto says the lovers were "all over each other" last week, "kissing, holding hands and drinking wine."
As for Maria, Soto said she has green eyes, dirty-blond hair and "un cuerpazo," which TMZ translated to mean "a banging body."
http://www.philly.com/philly/entertai...
June 29, 2009 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
He should resign.
June 29, 2009 at 11:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Carlos Soto Served Mark Sanford And Maria Belen Chapur At His Restaurant, Says "Real Chapur" Is Blonde
Carlos Soto is the owner of an Italian restaurant in Argentina called Guido's. Mr. Soto, who claims to have served the couple, says that the Maria Belen Chapur involved with South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford has blonde hair and is quite fit.
Carlos: Yes, Maria Belen had come before with the American, I believe, and I assumed he had something to do with the US Embassy. That day they came, I served them. I can't give a lot of details. This is an Italian trattoria and I brought them an antipasto, then a steak.
Carlos: Maria Belen is much thinner than the woman in the picture. She has blonde hair, she's physically fit. I can't tell you very much because I have the feeling that I am telling you what I know about the Belen that I know. I had seen them together before, saw them together last year, and she had come in on other occasions with the Embassy...
http://guanabee.com/2009/06/guido-bar...
June 29, 2009 at 11:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Numba10 (anonymous) says...
Was the adultery performed within SC borders--if not the law doesnt apply--
June 29, 2009 at 11:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tallblonde (anonymous) says...
I read another report this weekend that stated Sanford met his Argentine mistress thru ONLINE CHAT in 2001 - that would match the "friends for 8 years" timeline....*LOL* So - he was surfin' the net for a little fun - was he online at the Governor's office?
The same article stated that the Argentine mistress made "semi-regular" trips to New York....how many trips has Sanford made to NY in the past few years?
June 29, 2009 at 11:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
franksandbeans (anonymous) says...
studley, if the president of the us can have sex in the oval office and nobody cared about military protocol, who gives a rats about this? to quote the libs "it's only sex and has nothing to do with his ability to lead...it's his private life." Let's move on. Personally, given the martyr, dullard of a wife he has, I don't blame him for finding somebody else.
June 29, 2009 at 11:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
This whole Charleston.net forum system is out of control with lefty trolls running loose- you folks need to get a life and examine your own conscience. How many of you are free of sin? Let the one who is free of sin cast the first stone.
June 29, 2009 at 11:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
INTERESTING POST from the Post and Courier
Posted by AnaLaura on June 26, 2009
RE: Maria Belen Chapur
"See a picture of the home breaker, she had a habit, she has been sleeping around with a powerful (and mafia) man (alberto Fernandez) from the Argentinean government, I know, I live in the US but I was born in Argentina. Heck, many argentineans, including me, we speak 5 languages, but we do not sleep around and we do not break homes."
"This woman also slept around with the local "Ted Turner" of Buenos Aires, Daniel Haddad hired her as an informal commentator even if she had no formal training. She broke his marriage too, he had 4 or 5 kids, and when their affair came to light she was sent by his news channel to cover AFGHANISTAN, maybe Haddad's wife ask him to do that, to get rid of this whore.
"She is a jaded divorcee and a gold-digger, a climber. Sorry mr Sanford, she "loved" you as much as she loved other "strong" men, not afraid to get close to mafia, in Argentina:"
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/20...
June 29, 2009 at 11:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Second Maria Belen Chapur Pic Surfaces
http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/06/29/se...
June 29, 2009 at 12:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
AM
Give us a new link - current one is not working, at least for me. I am amazed that there is only one rather poor picture of Maria available - a good pic should be worth a lot.
June 29, 2009 at 12:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
franksandbeans (anonymous) says...
AMAZING sounds jealous and psychotic
June 29, 2009 at 12:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
franksandbeans (anonymous) says...
ColgSW,
no darling, it isn't.
June 29, 2009 at 12:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
What happens after you eat frank and beans?
June 29, 2009 at 12:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ticket3477 (anonymous) says...
"Isn't adultery a felony?..............Hmm"
oh boy...no, no it is not. Adultry is simply a means for an immediate divorce in which the one whom is affected by the act is thus entitled to whatever he/she wants. Clearly he is not getting a divorce (yet) from his wife.
His lapse in judgement, though unbecoming of anyone, be they a political figure or a regular person has NOTHING to do with the way he is doing his job. The only reason anyone gives a crap is because all of the morons in this state who just love a handout are still pissed off about his refusal of the stimulus money (but you should be happy since we now have to take it). President Clinton did not step down nor was he impeached. How is Sanfod any different? Is it bc he isnt a liberal hippy push over? Guess so.
As for his "leaving us" and our State being "vulnerable"...my question is...vulnerable to what? Im pretty sure South Carolina isnt first on the terrorist list nor is mass hysteria and/or riots going to ensue. Get a grip. Yes he should have planned his "Trip" better but come on.
He should not step down...hes already ruined his political career...arent all the liberals satisfied with that?
June 29, 2009 at 12:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MMitchum (anonymous) says...
It is time for this man to step down....He lied, cheated, commited adultry, evaded the state of SC.
His personal fantasies have interfered with the reality.
His family has a lot to over come and the media should let it go NOW! We know what he did...no need to run it in the ground. Let his wife and kids have some peace.
June 29, 2009 at 12:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Numba10 (anonymous) says...
I know some will say it is not he wifes fault as a knee jerk reaction but the question arises what was going on in the homelife that was lacking so as to cause the Gov to look elswhere for companionship????? Both hold responsibility for this situation.
June 29, 2009 at 12:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scfirefly (anonymous) says...
He should resign but he won't. He is and always has been a selfish, stubborn jerk who doesn't give a damn about the state of South Carolina. He doesn't have the humility or character to resign.
He is, by far, the worst Governor this state has ever had. (and I AM a Republican)
June 29, 2009 at 12:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestonbill (anonymous) says...
I can't trust the SOB. If we have a hurricane this year, do you want Mark Sanford taking care of you and your family? He may or may not be there. Do the right thing and GET OUT!
June 29, 2009 at 12:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lloyd007 (anonymous) says...
Typical of members of the GOP party. Tells others how to live their lives, but don't know crap about how to live their own. Talk about sheer arrogance.!!. You sir may find it OK to lead your "Political Party" to hell in a hand basket, but the people of this state beg to differ. Hubris
(Pride), has been the down fall of many a great men. To think that anyone with even a morsal of dignity would ever vote for any republican in future elections in this state or nationally,especially after your selfish actions,is laughable at best. And PLEASE STOP comparing yourself to David. He ( David ) was anointed by God and still suffered the consequences for his actions. You, Idiot, were elected by man (The people) and must face consequences for your actions as well..You somehow in your "Twisted" thinking believe that your ABOVE the people..The PEOPLE of this state would like for you to step down off of your high horse and stop being a disgrace to this state. You need to LEAVE..GET TO STEPPIN'. If no one in your party is telling you this, your being lied to.!!!
June 29, 2009 at 12:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Charleston.net forums have become irrelevant and from what I can see, most of the regular contributors have abandoned it and I think I will do likewise.
June 29, 2009 at 1:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
graysmoak (anonymous) says...
"He should resign but he won't. He is and always has been a selfish, stubborn jerk who doesn't give a damn about the state of South Carolina. He doesn't have the humility or character to resign.
He is, by far, the worst Governor this state has ever had. (and I AM a Republican)"
AGREED. I don't want to be considered a Republican though. In fact, I don't want any association with any political party at all.
June 29, 2009 at 1:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Numba10 (anonymous) says...
Neponset---then say something relevant--instead of complaining
June 29, 2009 at 1:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
green123 (anonymous) says...
i am so sick of hearing about this. more news happens. let this man and his family work it out. wcsc and the post and courier are running this into the ground. who cares if this man cheated on his wife happens all the time, he is still the gov so let it be.
June 29, 2009 at 1:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
While the State's economy sank, the Governor was interested in other things. He spent state funds to go on a trade visit to a country the US isn't supposed to be having trade initiatives with (which usually involve the US lending money to the other country) because Argentina had already defaulted on it's US loans. It's fairly certain Argentina had no jobs to send to SC.
This was somewhat like going to Syria on a trade mission. I'll bet when he got down there, the Governor really had his mind on trade.
I'm glad he found an exciting woman to spend time with, but our state is in economic crisis and we need a governor who makes sure every penny we have is working for us. This is no time to decapitate State government.
June 29, 2009 at 1:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vuduchld (anonymous) says...
Boy, you pilgrims have a patent on being hypocrites. If this was President Obama doing this you sub-humans would be all over the airwaves with your silly rants. Texas roadkill has more credibility than your so-called "stand tall leader". For you and others to come up with every excuse for keeping this "dog poop" in office speaks volumes about your mentality. What I want to see is that from here on is this clueless clown getting completely bombarded 24/7 365 from people everywhere. If this idiot stays in office, the gloves comes off and he should be battered into nonexistence.
This is yet another example of why South Carolina will continue to be the butt of jokes everywhere. Some of you on here are no better than child molesters.
June 29, 2009 at 1:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jeg111 (anonymous) says...
Someone told me once that Mark Sanford was the dumbest political official ever elected...I now believe them!!!
June 29, 2009 at 3:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GAL2000 (anonymous) says...
Adultry is a Class C Misdemeanor crime, and you will may be shocked or not, but it's nothing in this State. Please read below if anyone is interested. A poster did make the request above!
Basically not much if it's actually pursued. I see it brought up in family court cases, and nothing much comes of adultry. Usually no alimony is given to the party who has committed it...long drawn out explanation. You can review it under:
https://www.sccourts.org/
Then click on SC COde of Laws
Click on Title 16
Click on Chapter 15
Click on SECTION 16-15-60. Adultery or fornication.
Any man or woman who shall be guilty of the crime of adultery or fornication shall be liable to indictment and, on conviction, shall be severally punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not less than six months nor more than one year or by both fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.
June 29, 2009 at 9:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GAL2000 (anonymous) says...
Numba10...it adultry applies as long as you are legally married, and in a State that has adultry laws, and SC has, but please read my post and see the adultry ramifications.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t16c...
SECTION 16-15-60. Adultery or fornication.
Any man or woman who shall be guilty of the crime of adultery or fornication shall be liable to indictment and, on conviction, shall be severally punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not less than six months nor more than one year or by both fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.
SECTION 16-15-70. "Adultery" defined.
"Adultery" is the living together and carnal intercourse with each other or habitual carnal intercourse with each other without living together of a man and woman when either is lawfully married to some other person.
KEY WORD: Lawfully married. Doesn't amtter what state you are in.
June 29, 2009 at 9:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GAL2000 (anonymous) says...
Numba10
Old SC Law makes it a crime...
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's admitted extramarital affair with a woman in Argentina could cost him his job. It could cost him his marriage.
And, under an antiquated state law, it could also cost him up to $500 and a year in jail.
A state law that dates to at least 1880 says adultery is a crime, no matter where it occurred, and that adulterers "shall be severally punished."
But constitutional attorney John Harrell of Charleston says the law hasn't been used in decades, possibly not since 1907.
A spokeswoman for the State Law Enforcement Division says the agency can't waste limited money on trying to prosecute or arrest Sanford on such a charge. Jennifer Timmons notes there are murderers and other violent offenders to pursue.
© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
June 30, 2009 at 6:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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