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.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ South Carolina's top prosecutor is calling on Gov. Mark Sanford to publicly release travel records tied to his affair with an Argentine woman.
State Attorney General Henry McMaster said Thursday that full disclosure of the information is important and that Sanford should keep his word to release the records.
Sanford's office had promised the documents to The Associated Press, but changed its mind after the State Law Enforcement Division launched an investigation into the governor's travel.
The documents were made available to investigators, and results of that probe were to be released Thursday afternoon.
Sanford has hunkered down but said he won't resign as top state Republicans and several newspapers call for him to quit.
© 2009 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
|
