SLED: S.C. Gov Didn't Break Law To Visit Mistress
Posted: 12:04 pm EDT July 2, 2009Updated: 11:29 pm EDT July 2, 2009
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina's top cop says Gov. Mark Sanford did not improperly use state funds for visits with his Argentine mistress. State Law Enforcement Division Chief Reggie Lloyd said Thursday that Sanford did not break any laws. The governor's spokesman says he does not intend to resign. South Carolina's attorney general asked police to investigate the governor's travel after Sanford revealed to The Associated Press he had spent time with Maria Belen Chapur more often than previously disclosed. Sanford has given two personal checks totaling $3,300 to the state treasurer as reimbursement for part of a taxpayer-funded trip to South America last year. He says the money covered lodging, meals and airfare to Buenos Aires, where he saw Chapur. Top South Carolina Republicans have called for Sanford to step down.
• VIDEO:
Papers Document Sanford's Trips
• PDF: S.C. Gov Public Travel Records
• PDF: S.C. Gov Private Travel Records
• VIDEO:
• PDF: S.C. Gov Public Travel Records
• PDF: S.C. Gov Private Travel Records
S.C. 1st Lady Says She's Angry, May Forgive Husband
The wife of embattled South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford called his affair with an Argentine woman "inexcusable" but said Thursday she is willing to forgive him. Jenny Sanford's e-mailed statement was her first public comment since her husband told The Associated Press earlier this week that his mistress is his soul mate but he is trying to fall back in love with his wife. "My forgiveness is essential for us both to move on with our lives, with peace, in whatever direction that may take us," Jenny Sanford said in the statement. "Mark has stated that his intent and determination is to save our marriage, and to make amends to the people of South Carolina. I hope he can make good on those intentions, and for the sake of our boys." She said it is up to South Carolina voters and elected officials to decide whether they can "give Mark another chance." Sanford returned last week from a secret trip to Argentina to see his mistress, Maria Belen Chapur. His staff had told the public he was hiking the Appalachian Trail, and he later apologized for misleading them. Jenny Sanford told The Associated Press then that she learned of the affair in January when she discovered a letter Sanford had written to Chapur. She said he had repeatedly asked permission to go to Argentina to see Chapur, but she denied it. Spokesman Joel Sawyer said Thursday that Mark Sanford plans to spend the holiday weekend with his wife and sons in Florida, where his in-laws live. "He remains committed and determined to repair the damage he has done in his marriage and to building back the trust of the people of South Carolina," Sawyer said. Sawyer would not say where the family will stay. He asked the media to respect their privacy and declined to comment on how the governor would travel Friday. Meanwhile, the embattled Republican brushed aside calls to resign as state police announced they had found he used no taxpayer money to see Chapur during two visits to Argentina and three meetings in New York. The governor also released his travel records to the media. He has already given the state treasurer two personal checks totaling $3,300 to cover costs for the part of the 2008 economic development trip where he said his relationship with Chapur turned physical. The two first met at an open air dance spot in Uruguay in 2001. State Law Enforcement Division Chief Reggie Lloyd said agents were first checking into the 2008 economic development trip and four others: two trysts in New York, one in Manhattan and one in the Hamptons; a meeting in New York City that was attended by a spiritual adviser and meant to be Sanford's last with Chapur; and the secret trip to Argentina last month. After Sanford told the AP about meeting Chapur in 2004 at a New York bistro, Lloyd said agents also asked for information about that. "Out of an abundance of caution, we immediately called over to the governor's office," Lloyd said. He said the governor was fully cooperative. Also Thursday, a publisher announced it has terminated Sanford's deal to write a book on fiscal conservatism. Spokesman Adrian Zackheim said the decision to drop the book titled "Within Our Means" was a mutual one between the governor and the publisher, Sentinel, a dedicated conservative imprint within Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Sawyer declined to comment on the book deal.Statement from First Lady Jenny Sanford
The last week has been very painful for me, my family and for the people of South Carolina. However, throughout this terrible ordeal, the incredible outpouring of kindness, support, and prayer I've received from countless friends and folks I have never even met has been truly uplifting. I appreciate that more than I can say. Please know that my sons and I are doing fine, given the circumstances. We are surrounded by friends and family, and we will make it through this. I believe it is how we respond to the challenges we face in life, and what we learn from them, that is most telling about who we truly are.There is no question that Mark's behavior is inexcusable. Actions have consequences and he will be dealing with those consequences for a long while. Trust has been broken and will need to be rebuilt. Mark will need to earn back that trust, first and foremost with his family, and also with the people of South Carolina.The real issue now is one of forgiveness. I am willing to forgive Mark for his actions. We have been deeply disappointed in and even angry at Mark. The Bible says, "In your anger do not sin." (Psalm 4:4) In this situation, this speaks to the essence of forgiveness and the critical need to channel one's energy into positive steps that uphold the dignity of marriage and the family, and lead to reconciliation over time. My forgiveness is essential for us both to move on with our lives, with peace, in whatever direction that may take us.Desmond Tutu said "forgiveness is the grace by which you enable the other person to get up, and get up with dignity, to begin anew." Forgiveness opens the door for Mark to begin to work privately, humbly and respectfully toward reconciliation with me. However, to achieve true reconciliation will take time, involve repentance, and will not be easy.Mark showed a lack of judgment in his recent actions as governor. However, his far more egregious offenses were committed against God, the institutions of marriage and family, our boys and me. Mark has stated that his intent and determination is to save our marriage, and to make amends to the people of South Carolina. I hope he can make good on those intentions, and for the sake of our boys I leave the door open to it. In that spirit of forgiveness, it is up to the people and elected officials of South Carolina to decide whether they will give Mark another chance as well.
Previous Stories:
- July 1, 2009: Sanford Backs Out Of Promise To Release Records
- June 30, 2009: S.C. Gov. Calls Mistress Soul Mate, Won't Resign
- June 28, 2009: Sanford's Mistress: Someone Hacked Into My E-mail
- June 26, 2009: S.C. 1st Lady Says Letter Tipped Her To Affair
- June 26, 2009: Agency: S.C. Gov Sought More Time In Argentina
- June 26, 2009: Sanford Tries To Recover Amid Calls For Him To Step Down
- June 25, 2009: S.C. Republicans Support Sanford’s Resignation
- June 25, 2009: Republicans Regroup After Sanford Admission
- June 25, 2009: Funding For Sanford's Argentina Trips Questioned
- June 25, 2009: Gov. Sanford Spends Time With Wife And Sons
- June 24, 2009: Lawmakers, Friends, Voters Weigh In On Gov. Sanford's Affair
- June 24, 2009: Statement From Senator Lindsey Graham On Sanford's Affair
- June 24, 2009: Surprise Revelation From South Carolina Governor
Copyright 2009 by WSOCTV.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
















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