Sanford's future uncertain as more details revealed

The Associated Press South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford talks with The Associated Press in his office in Columbia on Tuesday. Sanford admitted that there were more encounters with his Argentine mistress than he previously has disclosed.

'More than a simple affair'

By MEG KINNARD
Associated Press Writer

COLUMBIA – Questions about South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's political future continued to swirl Tuesday as the Republican revealed more details about his extramarital affair and admitted to dalliances with other women.

But many of the Republican's harshest critics were silent as Sanford admitted to more encounters with his Argentine mistress than he previously has disclosed. In a lengthy and emotional interview with The Associated Press in his Statehouse office, Sanford described five meetings with Maria Belen Chapur over the past year, including two romantic, multi-night stays with her in New York before they met there again intending to break up.

In all, Sanford described seven meetings with the woman, including their first in 2001. Sanford also said Tuesday he "crossed lines" with a handful of women other than his mistress – but never had sex with them – and also told the AP that Chapur is his soul mate but he's trying to fall back in love with his wife.

After that news was first reported by the AP, the state's top prosecutor called for the State Law Enforcement Division to investigate all of the governor's travel records.

"In light of the governor's disclosure of additional travel today, I have requested that SLED conduct a preliminary review of all Gov. Sanford's travel records to determine if any laws have been broken or any state funds misused," Attorney General McMaster said in a statement.

McMaster, a Republican who has said he plans to run for governor in 2010, said last week it was premature to call for a criminal investigation into any wrongdoing.

Sanford had said he used no public money to visit the woman but then admitted last week spending time with her last year during a trip to Brazil and Argentina paid for by the Department of Commerce. Sanford has since said he will reimburse taxpayers for that trip, although his office has not said how much will be repaid.

Sanford, who is barred by state law from seeking a third term, has resisted calls he should resign. At one time, he had been rumored as a presidential contender in 2012.

Sanford's critics, increasingly vocal in the days since he first revealed his affair, were largely silent Tuesday as more details about the relationship emerged.

State Sen. Jake Knotts, R-West Columbia – a longtime Sanford opponent who last week revealed that the governor was missing – has called for law enforcement to investigate Sanford. He encouraged other legislators to call for Sanford's resignation and urged the governor to "do the right thing" and step down voluntarily.

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, a Republican who has said before the scandal he would probably run for governor in 2010, said Monday he's disheartened by behind-the-scenes GOP infighting by candidates hoping to win the job next year. He said he was considering taking himself out of the 2010 race if it turns out that's the only thing keeping Sanford in office.

"The conversation now is more about Andre Bauer than the governor," Bauer has said. "This really shouldn't be the debate. The debate should be, 'Is Mark Sanford in his heart of hearts comfortable in serving out his term?' This is a dark cloud over South Carolina. We need to move swiftly and move forward."

Knotts' voicemail was full Tuesday, and Bauer did not immediately return a phone message.

Sen. Lee Bright, a Sanford supporter, said he's troubled to hear the latest revelations and the attorney general's decision to launch an investigation but stopped short of calling on Sanford to resign.

"Well, it's definitely not good news," Bright, R-Roebuck, said Tuesday. "I think he has a decision to make. We'll just have to see what happens."

Later Tuesday, Sanford issued a statement pledging to cooperate with SLED's investigation.

"We're pleased that SLED will look into this matter," Gov. Sanford said. "There's been a lot of speculation and innuendo on whether or not public moneys were used to advance my admitted unfaithfulness."

The president of a faith-based nonprofit group said Tuesday that Sanford is being inconsiderate toward his wife to talk so lovingly and publicly about his mistress.

"It's unethical, I think, as it is immoral," said Oran Smith, president of the Palmetto Family Council, whose group has attracted 800 people to sign his "Stand with Jenny" Web site. "This is an additional strike at her dignity."

He said the council's members remain conflicted on whether Sanford should resign.

"I think the more he talks, the more folks are interested in entertaining that," he said. "We wouldn't necessarily like the disruption but we're also concerned about his ability to keep faith with the state if he can't keep faith with his wife."