Ethics Commission Finds Probable Cause Governor Sanford Violated Ethics Laws

**Update November 18, 8:30 p.m.**
Governor Sanford's attorney, Butch Bowers, released a prepared statement late Wednesday evening.

"We feel vindicated that the Ethics Commission's finding of probable cause is limited to minor, technical metter that do not include any allegations of criminal conduct," said Bowers. "A finding of probable cause is not a finding of guilt, and we look forward to our opportunity to finally present our side of the case to the Commission and get this matter resolved."

"We have fully cooperated with the Ethics Commission thus far, and we will continue to do so throughout this process," Bowers further stated. "As we have always maintained, Governor Sanford supports the public release of the full and complete ethics report. We believe that once all of the facts have been considered, it will once again confirm that this administration has been a good steward of tax dollars and public resources."

**Update November 18, 7.45 p.m.**
Gov. Sanford's attorney, Butch Bowers, issued the following written statement Wednesday night:

"We feel vindicated that the Ethics Commission’s finding of probable cause is limited to minor, technical matters that do not include any allegations of criminal conduct. A finding of probable cause is not a finding of guilt, and we look forward to our opportunity to finally present our side of the case to the Commission and get this matter resolved. We have fully cooperated with the Ethics Commission thus far, and we will continue to do so throughout this process. As we have always maintained, Governor Sanford supports the public release of the full and complete ethics report. We believe that once all of the facts have been considered, it will once again confirm that this administration has been a good steward of tax dollars and public resources."

**Update November 18, 7:40 p.m.**
The commission met behind closed doors for nearly seven hours Wednesday, hearing what investigators found out about Governor Mark Sanford. They were not looking into his admitted affair or his trip to Argentina.

They looked at his state travel, use of state airplanes and his campaign spending. The commission could have found no probable cause to move forward and that would have ended the ethics probe. The next step could come as early as Monday, when the commission will file a notice of charges that will givedetails about the allegations. A hearing could take place in 2010.

**Update November 18, 5:47 p.m.**

Governor's office has no comment at this time.

Updated November 18, 5:44 p.m.

The commission has found probable cause that Governor Sanford Violated Ethics Laws. The Ethics Commission says it will release details next week and will file their motion of hearing. The hearing will scheduled sometime in January.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The State Ethics Commission will decide whether a three-month investigation provides enough evidence that Gov. Mark Sanford broke state laws.

The commission meeting Wednesday is pivotal. Legislators have filed an impeachment resolution against Sanford and House Speaker Bobby Harrell says he's seen nothing so far that merits removing Sanford from office and the investigation would have to show new information about serious crimes or serious misconduct.

Commission general counsel Cathy Hazelwood says Sanford's hearing is closed. She expects the commission will release a statement afterward briefly saying whether the commission found reason to move forward against Sanford. More details of charges against Sanford could be released Friday or Monday.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)