Lawmaker sues over Sanford flier

SPARTANBURG, S.C., Sept. 17 (UPI) -- A female South Carolina lawmaker said Thursday a leaflet implying an affair with Gov. Mark Sanford was "incredibly hurtful" and is suing her unknown attacker.

The mailed leaflet suggested Republican state Rep. Rita Allison, 69, a former member of Sanford's staff, was promoted and received other benefits in exchange for sex, The State reported. Sanford, 49, also a Republican, has acknowledged have an affair with an Argentine woman and later said he might have "crossed lines" with other women.

The Greenville News reported Allison and the state GOP filed a defamation lawsuit against "John Doe." The legal action gives the party subpoena power to try to find whoever wrote the letter. It wasn't reported what court the suit was filed in.

Allison, 69, also a Republican, held a news conference in Spartanburg with state GOP Chairwoman Karen Floyd. The conference also was attended by a bipartisan contingent of state lawmakers and about 40 people who said they had received the anonymous letter.

"A lot of people told me I should just ignore this and let it go away, but I thought if it were possible for me to make a difference that I should take a stand," Allison said. "This has been an incredibly hurtful situation for me and my family, unlike anything I've ever experienced in my years in public service. If we can find out who did this and prevent others from going through the same thing, it will salvage some good from this situation."

A legal fund also has been set up to clear Allison's name and fight others subjected to anonymous attacks.