Gov. Sanford Speaks To 7 After Mtg With Cabinet

Governor Mark Sanford spoke to reporters outside the Capitol Friday, after meeting with his cabinet to apologize for the scandal that has gripped the state and the nation.

NewsChannel 7's Jonathan Carlson asked the Governor if he is working on repairing his marriage. He replied: "Absolutely, yeah."

When asked to respond to critical statements his wife has made about him in recent days in the press, he replied: "She has every right to be critical of me."

(Jenny Sanford told the AP Friday, she learned of the affair after discovering love letters from Sanford's mistress. She has also released unflattering statements in regards to her husband's situation, in recent days).

Carlson also asked Sanford, if resigning would be better for his family. He replied: "..I dont have difinitive answers to those questions.."

He said he plans to spend the weekend and possibly longer, soul searching before making a final decision on his future.

Meanwhile, State senator Jake Knotts says he has asked SLED to open an investigation into governor Mark Sanford's actions.

Knotts says he has asked SLED to look into misconduct by a public official and possible violations of the constitution. He tells us that the director of SLED told him an investigation would be launched, but it hasn't been launched yet. But SLED released a statement that they have received a letter from Knotts and will review it to see if there are sufficient allegations that support a criminal investigation. Communications director Jennifer Timmons says they have not opened and investigation and says "To date, given the information we know, we do not believe that there will be a criminal investigation launched."

She says SLED will review any information presented to them that rises to the level of a reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed.

Attorney general McMaster has released a statement saying:

"If there is anything we don't know, or if there is any credible evidence that any laws have been broken, then appropriate action should be taken. At this point, none of the facts appear to be in dispute. The governor has freely admitted everything he has been accused of. Clearly, his actions were personally and professionally unwise and inappropriate. However, criminal investigations should never be politically inspired. I hope all sides will resist attempting to use the investigative and prosecutorial powers of law enforcement for political purposes. Mixing politics and law enforcement is never a good idea."

Sanford admitted he saw his mistress in Argentina while on a trip with the S.C. Department of Commerce. Sanford has stated that he would reimburse the state for expenses for the Argentina leg of the trip.

The Associated Press has reported that Sanford asked for extra economic development meetings while in Argentina.

Today state representative H. Boyd Brown (District 41) wrote a letter to the attorney general asking him the investigate "Possible misuse of state property, finances, abuse of power and the negligence of duties in the Office of Governor. "