Senate probe: SC gov broke law on state travel

[bloomington-lib]

Source: Associated Press

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford broke state law when he charged taxpayers for more expensive business and first-class flights, according to the chairman of the legislative committee investigating Sanford's international travel.

State Sen. David Thomas, whose budget committee investigated Sanford's flights following reports last month by The Associated Press, sent evidence to Senate leaders Monday showing the Republican governor violated state laws requiring the cheapest travel possible.

Thomas said Sanford's more expensive flights on two trips cost the state $13,700 more than the economy class flights available.

Legislators can consider sanctions against Sanford ranging from demanding reimbursement to impeachment, said Thomas, R-Fountain Inn.

"It could be perceived, if it's significant enough and a case can be made of it, to constitute a case for possible impeachment," Thomas said Monday.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090810/ap_on_re_us/us_sc_governor_investigation

[kestrel91316]

1. He's a Republican, so the odds of him actually being prosecuted

are slim to none, if you ask me.

Laws are for the Little People aka Democrats.

[ixion]

2. good thing he wasn't smoking a joint

he might really have been in some trouble. :sarcasm:

[Hawkeye-X]

3. Hit the "No Shit, Sherlock?" button folks...

It's long past time for him to resign and let the even insaner Thug take his position (Guaranteed he'll be gone within 90 days)..

Hawkeye-X

[hmorehead]

4. Well if adultery won't get a resignation

eventualy an indictment will. He's been living a bachelor's life this last week. Wonder when the soul mate'll show up. If he'd been a Democrat the tabloids woulda showed up with the woman and a love child. That woulda been pure iceing on the cake.

[karynnj]

5. There is no bias there - the media worked just as hard to get photos of the woman

Had there been a love child, the tabloids would have had the baby too. Edwards is not getting special treatment. It is a sensational story and there are photos. I live in the NYC area, I can assure you there were plenty of Rudy and Judi photos when he was thrown out of the governor's mansion after speaking of wanting a divorce to the media before telling his wife. The story was on the front page at least 4 or 5 days a week. The media actually sat on the Edwards story pretty much until Edwards confessed. (likely out of respect for Elizabeth.)

[Betsy Ross]

6. He'll voluntarily reimburse

and that will be the end of it. Republican privilege.

[Tx4obama]

7. Senator: Flights justify Sanford impeachment

Source: CNN

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, already under fire for an extramarital relationship, should be impeached for abusing state finances, a Republican state senator said Monday. Sen. David Thomas accused his fellow Republican of violating state regulations when the governor took flights to London, England, and China in 2006 and 2007 on state business.

Sen. David Thomas, in a letter to leaders of the constitutional/administrative subcommittee of the South Carolina Senate Finance Committee, accused his fellow Republican of violating state regulations.

The allegations involve flights he took to London, England, and China in 2006 and 2007 on state business. South Carolina requires the governor to charge the state the lowest rate available unless there are overriding circumstances, such as emergency travel.

"The two flights by Gov. Sanford were in violation of the South Carolina Code of Regulations," Thomas said in his letter. "The difference in price between the most economical and the more expensive price of the seats the governor chose is approximately $13,700."


Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/11/south.carolina.mark.sanford/index.html

[saltpoint]

8. I was real proud of Jenny Sanford this past week.

Her husband may be a philandering cad but she seems to have quite a lot on the ball.

[Number23]

9. My heart weeps when it's not bleeding.

Kicked and rec'd

[CitizenPatriot]

10. don't fall for it, Sanford!

remember, you're god's chosen so u can fly anywhere u want, first class! Sarah Palin did it to her state and they only made her pay the money back. why should you be any different???

Tell us all again about how you are the second coming and just when u will be riding your magic dinosaur into Gog???

Free Mark Sanford:-) /s (of course)

[ScottLand]

11. We're being too tough on Sanford

He's just doing what any good Republican is doing or aspires to do. Keep it up, Mark, and don't forget to demonize the evil left!

[murielm99]

12. I haven't seen you here before, but welcome to DU! n/t

[ScottLand]

13. Thanks, Murielm99

I'm glad to be here. I've actually been following all of this for a couple of years and just recently decided to get involved.

:thumbsup:

[Union Yes]

14. Only Dems get impeached. IE Blago and Bill Clinton.

[DCKit]

15. No more political career? So much for reconciliation with the wife.

That's all you had, Dude.