Gov. Sanford Speaks To 7 After Mtg With Cabinet
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Sanford Folo
Sanford Folo
Published: June 26, 2009
Updated: June 26, 2009
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. “
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Reader Reactions
Open mouth and remain in power. Thinks that is all you have to do - if you are the Great Mark Sanford. Say anything, like I am working on my marriage, I have asked for forgiveness from everyone (sheez), I stole monies from all of you and never, ever intended to pay you all back, but let’s just focus on me apologizing and interjecting David from the Bible every 30 seconds, Okay, everytone?
Sheez. He appears mentally unsound - or his advisors are mentally unsound.
Divorce. Impeachment. And probably criminal prosecution for public theft.
All await you.
This AIN’T Sunday School Gov. And if it were - at least MY church - I would not accept this insincere, deluded crap from you - even in CHURCH. Promises and apologies without any sincere proof the person offering them up has indeed CHANGED are absolutely meritless.
Certainly don’t exonerate any lowly thief who wrongfully chooses to steal public monies…..
Get real Gov, and show some TRUE Christian “appropriateness” - and resign.
I have counted no less than 13 articles concerning Gov. Sanford’s affair on WSPA’s site. More proof that WSPA and CBS are biased news agencies determined to destroy anyone who is not a Liberal.
No wonder FOX news is kicking rear in the ratings.
I agree. EVERYONE have falls, myself included, but, it was wrong for him to use taxpayers dollars to cheat on his wife. Seems like he ran her more than he ran the state’s affairs! I can forgive him for the act (guilty myself),but he should resign for using taxpayers dollars to do so. Also, I feel that Andre Bauer is also just thinking about himself and not the state. He wants Sanford to stay? Why? Because he don’t want to be an incumbent? I am not supprised given the fact that he used his authority to get himself out of two speeding tickets for going 100 miles per hour on the interstate! Even if he runs for governor next time, I will not vote for him because he has already demonstrated where his loyalty is! We are a laughing stock to the whole country!
Mark Sandford’s affair is a personal matter of concern only to his spouse. However, his criminal behavior is of concern to me a citizen of South Carolina. He used state tax payer dollars to fund at least one trip to visit his mistress! He left the country and left our state ungoverned for almost a week! What if we had had a crisis or natural disaster? This is very poor leadership and governance. I, my neighbors, friends, and members of my church believe that a respectable Republican, such as Andre Bauer, needs to serve as Governor of our state and Mark Sandford should be impeached immediately. He should be impeached, not for being human, and having an affair, but for his criminal activities!
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