Impeachment efforts to start for Sanford

COLUMBIA, S.C., Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The chairman of the South Carolina House Judiciary Committee says preliminary impeachment procedures will begin soon against Gov. Mark Sanford.

The New York Times reported state Rep. James H. Harrison confirmed in a letter the South Carolina governor would face an initial ad hoc committee review of allegations against Sanford, including dereliction of duty.

Friday's letter follows a ruling by the State Ethics Commission that there is probable cause for an ethics review of Sanford. The committee is expected to detail the specific charges against the 49-year-old Republican governor Monday.

While the commission will focus on fewer than 40 expenditures or flights Sanford took part in as governor, the preliminary impeachment proceedings will also address his disappearance in June.

Sanford was out of touch June 24-28 and it was later revealed he had flown to Argentina for an extramarital affair. Sanford later confessed to the affair, prompting calls for his resignation.

The Times said the entire state House of Representatives would only vote on impeaching Sanford if the full 25-member Judiciary Committee reaches a majority vote. The state Senate would then begin impeachment proceedings.