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Sanford faces 37 ethics charges

November 23, 2009 By

Governor Mark Sanford faces 37 charges that he broke laws regarding campaign funds and limiting the use of airplanes. A special House committee will consider an impeachment resolution Tuesday in Columbia.

Governor Sanford is accused of breaking ethics laws by using state funds for unnecessarily expensive airline seats, using  state planes for personal and political trips and using campaign funds as reimburse for travel expenses. The details of the charges against the governor were released today by the state Ethics Commission. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Legislature, News, Politics & Government

Governor releases full ethics investigative report to public

November 23, 2009 By

Gov. Mark Sanford

The South Carolina Ethics Commission today released its list of  37 specific allegations against Gov. Mark Sanford. This report fleshes out for the public the panel’s summary findings which led to “probable cause” to hold a formal hearing on his travel spending.  The report says the hearing will be held “at a later date at 12:30 p.m.” at the offices of the state Ethics Commission.

Ethics Commission summary list of allegations (PDF)
Commission’s report/documents provided to the House (PDF – 1388 pages)

The infractions include Sanford’s use of the state plane to attend his son’s sporting events and a trip to Myrtle Beach’s Hard Rock Park. Also listed are repeated upgrades from coach to business class airline tickets when the governor flew overseas. He has stated in the past that he did so because of back problems.

Sanford attorney Butch Bowers, late Monday evening, issued the following statement:

“On behalf of Governor Sanford, we have decided to make public the Ethics Commission’s investigative report in its entirety, which we provided to Speaker Harrell and Chairman Harrison earlier this afternoon as part of our ongoing efforts to fully cooperate with the House of Representatives.  We look forward to working with the House as we move forward with this process, and we believe that once all of the facts have been considered, it will once again confirm that Governor Sanford and his administration have been good stewards for the taxpayers of South Carolina.”

This release comes as the S.C. House Judiciary subcommittee prepares to meet Tuesday to consider a resolution to impeach the governor. House Speaker Bobby Harrell has stated that the findings of the state Ethics Commission would be integral in that proceeding.

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Legislature, News, Politics & Government

Senator Thomas applauds committee meeting on impeachment

November 23, 2009 By

The Judiciary Committee Chairman of the South Carolina House says a special committee will consider the possible impeachment of Gov. Sanford for the first time next week. Chairman Jim Harrison says he’ll gather a seven-member panel Tuesday. The committee’s findings will go on to the full Judiciary Committee by Christmas.

Greenville Senator David Thomas,whose subcommittee first investigated Sanford’s travel records this past summer, says that information, which included documents put forth by Sanford himself, was turned over to the Ethics Commission, by the request of commission executives.

Thomas says Harrison’s committee will propel the issue forward, where Thomas says it should be.

“And that is the house should undertake an investigation itself, this should be out in the open perfectly transparent to the public and if the Governor comes out smelling like roses that’s fine, if he doesn’t then that’s just going to have to be what happens and he goes before the Senate for final judication.  But it doesn’t get drawn out all the way into April-May.  That’s what I have hopes of, that this gets taken care of quickly and decisively no later than early January at the very latest.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, News, Politics & Government

Coast Guard rescues stranded boater

November 23, 2009 By

The Coast Guard rescues a boater who was stuck off the Charleston harbor early Sunday morning. Around 1 a.m. Sunday morning, the Coast Guard of South Carolina was called about a stranded boater, Kenneth Bear, off the coast of Charleston who was stuck in a jetty. The boater said his 34-foot catamaran hit the north jetty. Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Evanson told the Associated Press a helicopter, a Coast Guard rescue boat, and a Charleston County Rescue boat responded to the scene. Bear was found and rescued and taken to the Medical University of South Carolina hospital. His condition did not appear to be serious and he is expected to be okay.

Filed Under: Accidents & Disasters, News, Recreation & Entertainment

Citadel astronaut welcomes new baby

November 23, 2009 By

The first Citadel graduate to spacewalk has welcomed a new addition to his family, from space. For now, astronaut Randy Bresnik may be 220 miles outside of the planet, but when he returns he has new baby girl that just made her way into the world.

“Getting to see my wife for the first time. There’s nothing more beautiful than being outside. But, I think once I get to see the pictures today of our new daughter, the E-V-A is going to have to take third place,” says Bresnik. [Read more...]

Filed Under: News, Uncategorized
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