S.C. Panel Determines Sanford Should Face Hearing

An ethics panel said South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford should face a hearing into potential violations of state law found during a probe into his travel and campaign finances.

The head of the ethics commission said the hearing will not take place until next year.

Questions about Sanford's use of state, private and commercial planes arose after he disappeared from the state in June and said he had been in Argentina visiting his mistress.

The Wednesday decision by the State Ethics Commission follows its three-month investigation. Commissioners did not reveal details about their findings or how they concluded there was probable cause for an ethics hearing. The head of the commission said Sanford could face several charges, but couldn’t say if they are civil or criminal.

The charges are expected to be revealed next week.

Associated Press investigations found Sanford violated bans on using state planes for personal and political purposes and sitting in pricey commercial seats.

Previous Stories: November 17, 2009: S.C. Lawmaker Introduces Gov. Impeachment Measure November 12, 2009: S.C. House Committee Readies For Sanford Impeachment November 5, 2009: S.C. High Court Says Gov.'s Ethics Probe Is Public October 27, 2009: S.C. Lawmakers Nix Considering Sanford Impeachment October 21, 2009: Chester Rep. Plans To Introduce S.C. Gov. Impeachment Proceedings October 20, 2009: Governor Leads Conversation On Unemployment Problem October 7, 2009: Sanford Says Constituents Care More About Jobs Than Ethics Probe October 2, 2009: SC Supreme Court To Review Gov's Ethics Arguments September 17, 2009: S.C. Gov Tours Lancaster School He Considered Closing, Pushes Reform September 10, 2009: S.C. GOP Leaders Vote To Ask Governor To Quit September 9, 2009: 60 S.C. House Republicans Call On Governor To Resign September 8, 2009: S.C. Governor Defends Flights, Staying In Office September 4, 2009: Republicans May Speak Out Collectively Against Sanford Next Week