Lawmaker Scolds Mark Sanford for Leaving Country

Columbia, SC (WLTX) - During a meeting of the South Carolina House Judiciary subcommittee looking at an impeachment resolution, a lone lawmaker took the opportunity to chastise Governor Mark Sanford for leaving the country back in June.

The committee met for approximately one hour Tuesday afternoon before adjourning until December 1.

The ad hoc committee was convened to deal with an impeachment resolution that was pre-filed at the State House earlier this month. Previous Coverage: Gov. Mark Sanford Impeachment Resolution Pre-filed

During Tuesday's session, Representative Greg Delleney expressed outrage that Sanford left the country without telling anyone where he was going, or a way he could be reached. During that June trip, Sanford went to Argentina for several days during an acknowledged extra-marital affair.

Delleney, who introduced the impeachment resolution, said Sanford said what Sanford did constituted a "dereliction of duty."

"He left his post, he left his state, he left his country without notifying anyone in authority," said Delleney. "He was in effect A.W.O.L. as chief magistrate or governor for the state of south carolina in whom the supreme executive authority of this state is vested."

Some committee members, however, had issue with Delleney's characterization, because they say Sanford is not in the military, and terms such as "A.W.O.L." and "dereliction of duty" don't apply.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell briefly addressed the group, telling them they need to make sure that any evidence they bring forward rises to the level of impeachment.

"You need to give full consideration to these facts as to whether the governor has committed serious crimes or serious misconduct," Harrell said. "Then decide if his actions clearly, without a doubt, have risen to the level of impeachment."

South Carolina's House has not considered impeachment since 1877.

"The Governor's temporary absence from the state in June does not meet this high standard [of impeachment]," Sanford attorney Ross Garber said in a written statement. "As was pointed out in the hearing this afternoon, the state Constitution ensures that the chain of command in state government is not threatened because the Lt. Governor is automatically transferred command in the event of an emergency during the governor's temporary absence." Related Story: Gov. Mark Sanford Speaks Out on Ethics Probe

When the subcommittee reconvenes in December, they will have the option to open up testimony. Members of the governor's office could be called upon to give information.

The subcommittee only briefly mentioned the State Ethics Commission's report into Sanford's travel, which was handed over to Harrell Monday afternoon by members of the governor's office.

Sanford released that document to the public just before midnight. Related link: Read the Full Ethics Commission Report into Mark Sanford

The 37 counts against the governor, which he'll face during a hearing by the Ethics Commission next year, include the following:

18 times in which Sanford is accused of buying or approving the upgrading of coach tickets to first or business class. State law requires that state officials take the lowest cost travel during trips;
9 times of improperly using state aircraft for personal or political travel that was not official state business;
10 times that he improperly reimbursed himself with campaign cash.

Sanford, however, has maintained that the upgrading of tickets was part of a long-standing policy by the Department of Commerce during business trips for state officials. Related link: Ethics Commission's Notice of Hearing Against Mark Sanford

Tentatively, the committee will look into allegations of misuse of the state plane on December 1. On December 3, it will look into the upgrading of airplane tickets from coach to business class, and reimbursement of campaign accounts. On December 7, they will examine any last parts of the resolution, and could extend their work to December 9. That schedule could change, however, before then.

Members said the goal is to come up with a complete report by Christmas.

If this subcommittee feels that the bill should move forward, it would move to the full Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Harrison, for consideration. From there, the full House would consider it, and if enough supporters were in favor of impeachment, a trial would take place.

The committee has four Republicans and three Democrats. It is made up of the following members: