Chester legislator calls for grand jury to probe Sanford

By Matt Garfield - mgarfield@heraldonline.com

A Democratic state legislator who represents part of Chester County is calling for a grand jury to investigate whether Gov. Mark Sanford broke the law.

In a letter to Attorney General Henry McMaster, Rep. Boyd Brown cited “troubling issues” involving Sanford's use of public money and equipment, potential ethics violations and the possible involvement of state employees and Cabinet members.

“Recent events have left many unanswered questions and I am sure you agree with me that the people of South Carolina deserve an open, honest and transparent government, a standard that should apply from dog catcher all the way up to the office of governor,” Brown wrote.

Brown won the District 41 House seat formerly held by Winnsboro Democrat Creighton Coleman, who joined the Senate last year. The district includes parts of Chester and Fairfield counties.

Sanford admitted to having an affair with a woman who lives in Argentina. The scandal over his secret trip to the South American country has thrust South Carolina into national prominence for the wrong reasons, Brown said.

“While this episode might provide comedic fodder for political pundits and late night comedians, my constituents and I, and the citizens of this state, are not laughing,” Brown wrote.

Sanford has rebuffed calls to resign and said he is focused on winning back the trust of South Carolina voters.

McMaster, a Republican planning his own run for S.C. governor, hasn't taken a position. “Until all the facts are known, any speculation regarding potential action by this office is premature,” his office said Thursday.

Other S.C. Republicans have said it's too soon to say whether and how the Legislature should take action. State Rep. Greg Delleney called on Sanford to resign before it reaches that point, saying Sanford can no longer be trusted to lead the state.