Mark Sanford Faces More Trouble for Not Reporting Flights

The state law requires that all elected officials report any gift they receive in the amount of $25 or more in a single day. They must also report anything of value that is at least $200 in the course of one year. These gifts must be reported if it is believed these gifts would not have occurred but for the public officials position.

The 35 flights in question were listed on the governor’s official calendar, but were not reported on the state ethics forms or campaign reports as required by the state law. According to Sanford’s calendar, these flights were for a variety of things including; political functions, going with supporters to sporting events and even family vacations. Sanford’s staff has stated that these trips were paid for by some of his longtime friends and some political groups.

Since having to admit to an affair with an Argentine woman back in June, Sanford has been under scrutiny for his actions while he has been in office. One of the flights in question now is a 2008 trip in which Sanford met up with his mistress.

Sanford has faced issue after issue after his announcement in June about his affair. His wife Jenny Sanford and his kids moved out of the governor mansion in July.

This is not the first time Sanford travel arrangements have been questioned in the past couple of months. He has faced scrutiny for his use of state aircraft for personal and political trips. Sanford is also facing questions about his traveling first class and business class on official business instead of lower cost back of the plane as state law also requires.

His political career is over, but Sanford continues to not listen to the calls for his resignation. Now with this latest issue of these flights that were not reported, many throughout South Carolina are now calling for an impeachment of the embattled governor.

Written by Denise Clay