SC panel says governor should face ethics charges

[Lochloosa]

Source: AP

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford will face charges he violated state laws, according to an ethics panel ruling Wednesday that came after its three-month investigation into his use of state, commercial and private airplanes and his campaign finance practices.

The State Ethics Commission did not provide details of its decision or the specific charges the governor would face during a hearing of the panel early next year. Sanford's lawyer, however, predicted the governor would be cleared and said none of charges are criminal but "limited to minor, technical matters."

The commission said details - which should include whether the accusations involve civil or criminal allegations - will be released next week. Questions about Sanford's use of state, private and commercial planes arose after he disappeared from the state in June and admitted he had been in Argentina visiting his mistress.

The commission "found probable cause exists on several allegations. They wanted me to point out that a finding of probable cause is not a finding of guilt. It is only one phase in the process," said Herb Hayden, the commission's executive director, after a daylong, closed-door meeting that is comparable to a grand jury hearing.


Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SC_GOVERNOR?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. Why not wait until he's dead of old age?

<sarcasm>

What an absolute joke.

[msongs]

2. doncha know adultery is fine n dandy when it's a republican, you betcha! nt

[Lint Head]

3. Should and will. The idiot rednecks in SC, my home state, don't

know the difference between the two. RW rednecks will screw anything they want anytime they want because they have Christ on their side.