The State Ethics Commission report on Gov. Mark Sanford’s indiscretions regarding use of state money and campaign dollars was released today, but we’re not sure if this thing is really worth a damn or not. A few of these charges, here or there, might lead to a fine or a stern rebuke from the General Assembly. But, when they come across, one after one, it looks like the members of the House may have a case. According to the report, there will be a hearing at SEC offices at an undisclosed date to deal with the findings.
USE OF PUBLIC OFFICE FOR PERSONAL FINANCIAL GAIN
Section 8-13-700(A), S.C. Code ann., 1976, as amended
37 counts
Upgrade on flight
- Graz, Austria to Frankfurt, Germany (2005)
- Frankfurt, Germany to Charlotte, N.C. (2005)
- Chicago, Ill. To Tokyo, Japan (2005)
- Tokyo, Japan to Shanghai, China (2005)
- Beijing, China to Chicago, Ill. (2005)
- Charlotte, N.C. to London, U.K. (2006)
- London, U.K. to Charlotte, N.C. (2006)
- Charlotte, N.C. to Munich, Germany (2007)
- Munich, Germany to Paris, France (2007)
- Munich, Germany to Charlotte, N.C. (2007)
- Washington, D.C. to Beijing, China (2007)
- Beijing, China to Washington, D.C. (2007)
- Columbia, S.C. to Atlanta, Ga. (2008)
- Atlanta, Ga. to Sao Paulo, Brazil (2008)
- Cordoba, Brazil to Buenos Aires, Argentina (2008)
- Buenos Aires, Argentina to Atlanta, Ga. (2008)
- Upgrade on flight from Charlotte, N.C. to New York, N.Y. (2009)
- Upgrade on flight from New York, N.Y. to Warsaw, Poland (2009)
Improper use of state plane
- Spartanburg, S.C. to Clemson/Oconee County for a county party dinner (2005)
- Columbia, S.C. to North Myrtle Beach, S.C., transporting a Governor’s Office staffer, then North Myrtle Beach, S.C. to Columbia, S.C. for staffer and himself to receive a haircut (2006)
- Columbia, S.C. to Mt. Pleasant, S.C. for a book signing (2006)
- Mt. Pleasant, S.C. to Aiken, S.C. for a birthday party for a contributor (2006)
- Lewisburg, W.Va. to Brunswick, Ga. for family for a personal weekend (2006)
- North Myrtle Beach, S.C. to Columbia, S.C. for son’s sporting event (2007)
- Columbia, S.C. to Greenville S.C. for House Republican Caucus reception (2007)
- Columbia, S.C. to Greenwood, S.C. to Charleston, S.C. for Reason Weekend dinner (2008)
- Columbia, S.C. to Myrtle Beach, S.C. for family to attend “soft” opening of Hard Rock Park (2008)
Campaign funds for personal use
- Receiving $40 for activity not related to the campaign (2006)
- Receiving $329.40 for expenses from attending the Alfalfa Club Dinner in Washington, D.C. (2007)
- Giving $610.30 to staffer Marisa Crawford to attend the Republican Governors Association meeting (2007)
- Receiving $181.23 for direct marketing, telephone, Internet and/or cable services at the Governor’s Mansion (2008)
- Receiving $280.16 for direct marketing, telephone, Internet and/or cable services at the Governor’s Mansion (2008)
- Receiving $297.89 for direct marketing, telephone, Internet and/or cable services at the Governor’s Mansion (2008)
- Receiving $864.90 for expenses from the Republican Governors Association meeting and a hunting trip in Ireland (2008)
- Receiving $79.95 for direct marketing (2009)
- Receiving $96.95 for direct marketing and a presidential inauguration ticket (2009)
- Receiving $159.90 for direct marketing (2009)
If President Barack Obama had the mind control powers of a powerful Jedi, he probably wouldn’t be having so much trouble with health care. Eg., “These aren’t the regulations you’re worried about. Move along.”
But, that hasn’t stopped him from trying. Insert your “It’s a TARP!” jokes.
No, the President isn’t joining Princess Biden in a war against Darth Aetna. Turns out he was doing a publicity photo shoot promoting Chicago for the 2016 Olympics. We’d scoff at the idea that the Windy City would get the Games, but the town gave the podium for a black man with a funny name to become the president of the United States, so we’ll see how this shakes out.
However, if Obama could outfit the U.S. fencing team with lightsabers, we could bring home the gold in that event.
