S.C. Dems calls for Sanford probe

COLUMBIA, S.C., June 27 (UPI) -- The head of the South Carolina Democratic Party Saturday called on state lawmakers to conduct a bipartisan investigation of Gov. Mark Sanford.

Carol Fowler issued a statement saying Sanford deceived South Carolinians about his travels and his extramarital affair with an Argentine woman and the only way "to feel confident they are being told the truth is for the General Assembly to pursue every recourse under the law to get at that truth," CNN reported.

"During the past 10 days South Carolinians have been subjected to the greatest display of irresponsible behavior by an elected official in a hundred years," Fowler said. "Mark Sanford abandoned his official duties, deceived the public, and misled his family.

"But in spite of 10 days of full national humiliation, South Carolinians still don't know the whole truth. Is Mark Sanford simply an irresponsible public official or guilty of something criminal?"

Fowler said Sanford had "made a mockery of Republican claims to represent family values and stewardship of tax dollars."

"Now he's hoping his fellow Republicans will turn their heads rather than do what they are obligated to do -- investigate how the governor abused the public trust by using official resources to conduct and cover up an affair."

Sanford apologized Friday to members of his Cabinet for disrupting state operations with his trip to Argentina last week, where he visited the woman with whom he has admitted having an affair. He said he will reimburse the state for the cost of trip.

Sanford has indicated he intends to remain in office until his current term as governor -- his second -- expires in January 2011. He is barred by South Carolina law from seeking a third term.