McMaster orders SLED probe of governor's travel records
By Tony Bartelme , Yvonne Wenger
Updated 02:42 p.m., June 30, 2009
S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster today asked the state Law Enforcement Division to review Gov. Mark Sanford's travel records after the governor acknowledged meeting his mistress more times than he had previously said.
Sanford told The Associated Press earlier today that he met with his mistress three times in New York during the past year, in addition to trips he made to South America last summer and earlier this month.
Sanford had previously said he had only had three encounters in the past year with the mistress, Maria Belen Chapur. The disclosures spurred new calls for investigations into the governor's travels.
McMaster, who is running for governor in 2010, had resisted these calls, saying he didn't want to insert politics into the debate. But he changed course this afternoon.
"In light of the governor's disclosure of additional travel today," McMaster said in a statement, "I have requested that SLED conduct a preliminary review of all Governor Sanford's travel records to determine if any laws have been broken or any state funds misused."
Sanford released a statement following McMaster's announcement. "We're pleased that SLED will look into this matter," Sanford said.
"There's been a lot of speculation and innuendo on whether or not public moneys were used to advance my admitted unfaithfulness. To be very clear: no public money was ever used in connection with this. We believe the best way to put those questions to rest once and for all is for SLED to ask these questions, and we plan on cooperating fully."
McMaster's comments came as more lawmakers called for an investigation into the governor's travels.
State Rep. Boyd Brown, a Democrat from Winnsboro, asked McMaster to impanel a state grand jury. "Serious legitimate questions remain," he said.
State Sen. Jake Knotts, a Republican from West Columbia who first raised questions about Sanford's whereabouts, also said he wants a grand jury to determine whether Sanford's actions constitute "misconduct in public office."
Knotts noted that McMaster last year prosecuted Lenneau Berry, the former mayor of Latta, on such a charge. Berry pleaded guilty last year to misusing town funds. A judge sentenced him to probation and ordered him to pay $2,757.51 in restitution. Sanford ordered Berry be stripped of his mayoral powers.
In a lengthy and emotional interview with The Associated Press in his Statehouse office, the governor described five meetings with Maria Belen Chapur over the past year, including two romantic, multi-night stays with her in New York before they met there again intending to break up.
Reach Tony Bartelme at 937-5554 or tbartelme@postandcourier.com.
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Takebackurcountry (anonymous) says...
He "admitted" to 3 previously. He didn't say that those were the "only" times they met. Just try to be accurate on the reporting. Doesn't diminish the act though. I suspect there were other hookups, that may not be as traceable. I'm sure he figured these NY trips could be traced so best to admit them. He'll be out of office and on his way to Argentina within a month. Will be sad for him if his true love has moved on by then.
June 30, 2009 at 2:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SuzieQJones (anonymous) says...
Maybe he thinks it is true love, but I get the impression that for Maria-maybe not so much.
June 30, 2009 at 2:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
postman01 (anonymous) says...
Criminalizing this is bad business, period.
June 30, 2009 at 2:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
et29412 (anonymous) says...
This latest revelation only proves that all the illegal deeds in this sordid story have not been revealed. A judge sentenced Lenneau Berry to probation and ordered him to pay $2,757.51 in restitution. Sanford ordered Berry to be stripped of his mayoral powers. Mr. Berry should receive a refund and be excused from probation if our Governor stays in office. Now more misjudgments have just been reported about Sanford:.stay tuned, more to come. Our Governor is a joke!
June 30, 2009 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
R_U_Kidding_Me (anonymous) says...
You think maybe Sanford is staying on as Governor so he can stay in Columbia? The wife and kids have the "little" place on Sullivan's Island and he gets the Guv's mansion in Columbia. Well, for the next 18 months anyway. Then he can relocate to Argentina or maybe Bangkok. Some guys find it difficult to work through their mid-life crisis. Buy a sports car and grow a beard, Dude. Get over it.
June 30, 2009 at 2:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
R_U_: he can go on a jaunt to the Dominican Republic with the king of oxycontin. I'm sure Rush knows where to find the ho's- and little boys.
June 30, 2009 at 3:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
omarro1974 (anonymous) says...
Nothing will come of it. I'm willing to bet McMaster already has assured the governor. This will be cosmetic, to give the citizens the belief that he will be held accountable for his actions. That's it.
He will resign on his own, over/under 2 weeks.
June 30, 2009 at 3:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ncsugradsc (anonymous) says...
SANFORD is a LIAR and a CHEAT!!!!!!
IMPEACH HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 30, 2009 at 4:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tommyd29445 (anonymous) says...
Send him packing.
June 30, 2009 at 4:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
studley (anonymous) says...
Duh! Another hard working public servant looking out for the people; certainly not politically motivated.
I'm going to sleep like a baby tonight - wake up every two hours and cry!
June 30, 2009 at 4:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stanish (anonymous) says...
I agree with you @omarro1974 that NOTHING will become of it. McMaster is a FRAUD and embarrassment himself. This guy has done absolutely NOTHING worthwhile as Atty. Gen. As Chief Law Enforcement Officer of this state he has subJected us to unwarranted attacks and ridicule. He has neglected the state and his sole purpose is/was to prosecute Craig List! S.C. is continuing to be the laughing stock in america. Sad reality is that McMaster or Bauer could well be the next govenor of S.C. Until voters in this state get off of STUPIDITY and elect worthy and RESPECTABLE men and women of both parties to represent us, we will continue to be the JOKE and the laughing stock! We DESERVE better! Aren't we tired of being EMBARRASSED?
June 30, 2009 at 5:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Puzzled (anonymous) says...
Sorry folks - you get the leadership you deserve.
June 30, 2009 at 6:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Teesa (anonymous) says...
I am at the point that I am ready to start a door to door petition to get him to step down. South Carolina needs to move on. We need to get back to concentrating on state issues instead of who he slept with. We do not need to be the laughing stock of the nation any longer.
June 30, 2009 at 8:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sardis12 (anonymous) says...
It's amazing how the country (or the news media) seems fascinated by Mr. Sanford's little scandal. Michael Jackson's death, Iran, and Sanford are the lead stories on each of the national newscasts I've seen for several days now. A Letterman top-ten list last week, too, and you know you've got a problem. And Mark's inability to shut up isn't helping. Enough already!
June 30, 2009 at 8:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
upstateislander (anonymous) says...
Well golleee Henry, where have you been....Hiking in the mountains, walking the beaches of South America....or maybe you were just lost in Hartsfield Airport.
Let's see now....how long are we gonna wait to empanel a Grand Jury.....seems as though you keep waiting for dear ole guv to confess a little bit at a time.....just tell us a little bit more guv....then Henry will get his wheels rolling.....then dear ole guv comes back and says..."we encourage the SLED investigation".....like maybe he's not a part of it, kind of like a 3rd party observer.
As long as dear ole guv keeps leaking out a couple of sordid affairs every few days.....he can keep the satellite trucks parked in Columbia and on Sullivans Island.....and keep getting his face all over everywhere!
Henry, now that you're finally back on the job, how about NOT taking your cues from you campaign manager and start doing the job you were elected to! Right now, you're starting to look like apuppet on a string.....and Henry, remember what happened to Pinnochio....watch out for your nose.
June 30, 2009 at 9:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Cash for hotel rooms? uh uh uh ...that was my fault.
Sir, did you you mislead your staff? uh uh uh ...that was my fault.
Cash for airline tickets? uh uh uh ...that was my fault.
Sir, I thought you said you only met with your mistress three times? Sir, now you are saying seven? Sir. what gives? uh uh uh ...that was my fault.
Sir, I understand that last year you were on a trade mission in Argentina, but now we understand that you were just having a rendezvous with Ms. Chapur at the Buenos Aires Hilton, what's up with that? uh uh uh ...that was my fault, I'll give that money back!
Sir, you admitted today of having inappropriate sexual relationships with several other women, but you claim that you never had sex with? uh uh uh ...that was my fault.
Sir, do you have anything else that you need to tell us? uh uh uh ...NO! I paid cash for everything else ...uh uh uh so
uh uh uh ...that's about it.
June 30, 2009 at 9:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rebels64 (anonymous) says...
Looks to me like McMaster is going to slow dance this whole investigation in order keep Sanford in office and the Lt. Gov. out of the mansion. He's not a political dummy and his handlers figure that Andre with 18 months on the job will be much harder to defeat. Do any of you believe this is being dragged out in order to let the "pressure cooker" that Sanford got himself into have time to cool down, thus allowing Sanford to stay in office. This would make the playing field a bit more level for the Attn. General when the primaries begin ......... just an opinion and a thought.
June 30, 2009 at 11:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chaston71 (anonymous) says...
If the trip to Brazil was modified to include Argentina at the Governors request, then the gov owes us the cost of sending the entire delegation. This is a gross waste of taxpayer money just to provide cover for the govs adultery. The gov owes us for transportation, lodging, food, and wages for the entire delegation. $3,000 is an insult!
July 1, 2009 at 3:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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