Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009

Sanford calls criticism of travel policies 'unfair'

He insists other governors spent more on travel than he has

Gov. Mark Sanford on Tuesday defended his use of state aircraft and business class airfare on flights, saying other governors had spent more on travel than he has.

Sanford also said he and his wife, Jenny, are not divorcing despite her move out of the Governor’s Mansion last week.

Sanford’s record, expenses and marriage have been under scrutiny since he disappeared for five days in June and, later, admitted to an affair with an Argentine woman.

An Associated Press review found Sanford had used state planes for personal and political trips, contrary to state law. Sanford also flew business class on trips to China, Argentina and elsewhere despite state rules that require buying the least-expensive tickets.

The Republican governor said the state Commerce Department typically buys more expensive business class tickets to allow state leaders to rest before crucial overseas business meetings.

“I’m not trying to defend the practice, but that has been the practice and there is some level of common sense to it,” Sanford said after a Cabinet meeting.

As governor, Sanford has nurtured his image as frugal. For example, he required state workers to share hotel rooms while traveling.

Sanford said, some of the criticism of his travels has been unfair. “In political terms, people smell blood in the water, and they keep coming and coming and coming.”

Less than 2 percent of his use of state planes has been questioned, Sanford said, adding some of those trips included official duties.

“We’ve flown less on the state plane than any other governorships of the last four,” Sanford said. “We have tried to stay true to that standard of watching out for the taxpayer.”

State Sen. David Thomas, R-Greenville, who is investigating whether Sanford misused state money in his travels, concluded Monday that Sanford had broken state law in flying business class.

“It’s inarguable,” Thomas said, adding, “I’m not investigating other governors.”

Thomas said he will continue gathering information and present his conclusions to lawmakers when they return in January. Lawmakers, he said, then can decide whether Sanford’s actions warrant impeachment or another sanction.

Reach O’Connor at (803) 771-8358