SC Attorney General Wants Ethics Probe on Governor

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina's attorney general wants state ethics commissioners to review Gov. Mark Sanford's travels.

The letter Thursday from Attorney General Henry McMaster to the chairman of the Ethics Commission follows Associated Press investigations of Sanford's use of state aircraft for personal and political trips, and his flights on commercial airlines.

Sanford says his use of state aircraft was proper. The governor also says he should sit in more expensive commercial seats because he needs to be well-rested on long economic development trips.

State law requires employees use state aircraft only for official business. It also requires employees use lowest-cost commercial travel.

Ethics laws say misuse of state resources could bring civil or criminal penalties.

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