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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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 INVESTIGATION 
18

Sanford Flew to Hair Cut, Kids' Games on State Dime

Gov racked up $400K in travel, some illegal

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(Newser) – Mark Sanford has repeatedly violated South Carolina law by using state aircraft for personal trips, an AP investigation has found. Records reveal that the philandering governor has used state planes to travel to dental appointments, his children's sporting events, and political party gatherings. One one occasion, Sanford used a state aircraft to travel to Columbia from the coast when the only appointment he had was at his hair salon.

Sanford, whose air travel has cost the state close to $400,000 since he took office, regularly took his wife and four children with him on state aircraft. South Carolina law states that "all aircraft owned or operated by agencies of the state government shall be used only for official business." Sanford could face civil or criminal penalties if he is found to have misused state resources.

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford talks to the Associated Press in his Columbia, SC, Statehouse office.
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford talks to the Associated Press in his Columbia, SC, Statehouse office.   (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain, file)
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford listens to Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom during a budget and control board meeting.
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford listens to Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom during a budget and control board meeting.   (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford serves up hamburgers and drinks aboard a South Carolina state-owned plane.
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford serves up hamburgers and drinks aboard a South Carolina state-owned plane.   (AP Photo/The Post and Courier, Alan Hawes, pool)
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It's an overwhelming ethical issue here. To me, this is clear misuse of state property. - Republican state Sen. David Thomas

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18 comments
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riffran
Aug 10, 09 1:33 AM CDT
He should have to repay any and all of those "personal" little run up's, back to the tax payers of that state Reply
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+14
plstyle
Aug 10, 09 2:40 AM CDT
This is what the stubborn a$$hole gets. He should've stepped down along time ago. Reply
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+7
IN RESPONSE:
atomick
Aug 10, 09 7:18 AM CDT
Frankly I'm surprised the citizens of S.C. haven't run him out of the state on a rail themselves by now.
Vote up! Vote down!
+5
chas_m
Aug 10, 09 3:46 AM CDT
Nice to see a Republican official calling Sanford out in the quote box. Man, that's refreshing. Maybe there's some hope for that party yet. Reply
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+2
shonangreg
Aug 10, 09 5:07 AM CDT
As I recall, one of his central campaign promises was to cut the waste of "royal" governors who use state coffers as their personal piggy bank. Another one was family values. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+8

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