SC Ethics Commission Calls For Hearing On Governor Mark Sanford’s Ethics

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - An ethics panel says 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.

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 early next year.

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