Clemson University has provided Gov. Mark Sanford’s office details of flights by university officials for the past five years, according to our coverage partners at The Anderson Independent-Mail.
The thousands of pages of information were sent at the end of last week, according to university spokeswoman Cathy Sams.
“We sent them information starting with July 1, 2004 … thinking that would give them a pretty good overview,” Sams said.
Sanford requested the flight records after ethics questions were raised about his travel and campaign finance practices.
Questions about Sanford’s flights were raised by The Associated Press, which reviewed flight logs and other records. The AP investigation showed that the governor used planes in a way that contradicted state policy on seeking low-cost travel.
Sanford has challenged that and other claims, stating that it is common practice for top state officials to use business class or more expensive flights for convenience.
The AP reported Thursday that its investigation also has shown that Sanford relied on charter jet services costing more than $63,000 when traveling in Europe on two state business trips.
Sanford spokesman Ben Fox defended the governor Thursday, saying Sanford’s travel expenses should be evaluated more broadly to appreciate the total savings since he took office in 2003.
To read more of this article from the Anderson Independent-Mail, click here: http://www.independentmail.com/news/2009/sep/17/clemson-turns-over-flight-records/
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