SC panel says Gov. Mark Sanford should face hearing on ethics claims tied to travel, finances

SC ethics panel calls for hearing on gov’s ethics

COLUMBIA, S.C. — An ethics panel says South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford should face a hearing into potential violations of state law found during a probe into his travel and campaign finances.

Questions about Sanford’s use of state, private and commercial planes arose after he disappeared from the state in June and said he had been in Argentina visiting his mistress.

The Wednesday decision by the State Ethics Commission follows its three-month investigation. Commissioners did not reveal details about their findings or how they concluded there was probable cause for an ethics hearing early next year.

Associated Press investigations found Sanford violated bans on using state planes for personal and political purposes and sitting in pricey commercial seats.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s State Ethics Commission has begun hearing details on a three-month investigation to decide if there’s evidence that Gov. Mark Sanford broke state ethics laws.

The closed-door commission meeting under way Wednesday is pivotal to efforts by some state legislators to impeach Sanford.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell says he’s seen nothing so far that merits removing Sanford from office and the investigation would have to show serious crimes or misconduct.

The ethics commission is investigating whether Sanford broke rules on travel, including bans on using state airplanes for personal or political purposes. Questions about the governor’s travel practices arose after Sanford acknowledged in June that he had been in Argentina for a five-day rendezvous with his lover.