SC Gov. Mark Sanford’s Ethics Fines: $74,000

by Thomas Wellborn

Governor Sanford’s 2009 taxpayer funded jaunts to with his Argentinian mistress, coupled with other campaign spending and travel, have racked up fines amounting to $74,000, all of which he has agreed to pay.  In all, 37 charges were brought against Sanford by the State Ethics Commission.  The Republican governor is due to leave office in January, and may face criminal charges on top of fines already levied.

Alleged violations include:

Approving the purchase of four first- and business-class commercial airline tickets for a June 2008 trip during which he met with his mistress in Argentina.

Personal use of state-owned aircraft for trips such as the birthday party of a campaign contributor in Aiken.

Reimbursing himself nearly $3,000 using campaign contributions, including about $900 for expenses to attend a Republican Governors Association meeting in Miami and a hunting trip in Ireland several days later.

Sanford has taken full responsibility for his affair and misuse of funds surrounding it, but feels he is being treated unfairly in regards to his use of state planes for travel.  Still, he is ready to ante up payment to avoid the continued frenzy of the media circus that has plagued him and his family since the story became public knowledge.

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