More call for Sanford to quit in wake of latest admissions

COLUMBIA — The drumbeat for Gov. Mark Sanford to resign from office grew louder Tuesday after the governor admitted to more encounters with his mistress and several other women with whom he “crossed the line.”

The governor told The Associated Press in an emotional interview he had met with Maria Belen Chapur five times over the past year, and another two encounters were overnight stays in New York City during the past several years.

“There was a connection from the very beginning,” he told the AP.

Though he added the two encounters in New York, the last in 2004 during the Republican National Convention, were not romantic. The revelations are the first time the governor has admitted to seeing his mistress in the United States.

Sanford also told the AP that Chapur is his soul mate, but he will try to fall back in love with his wife, Jenny.

The governor also said he “crossed lines” with a handful of women other than his mistress, but never had sex with them.

Upon learning about the additional encounters between Sanford and his mistress, S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster asked the State Law Enforcement Division to investigate the governor’s travel expenses.

“I’ve asked SLED to get the travel records from the governor’s office and do a preliminary review of those to see if it appears that any public money has been spent for private purposes, travel or anything else,” McMaster said.

The governor’s office seemed relieved that the attorney general’s office had requested the inquiry to help end speculation that the governor had used more taxpayer dollars for personal travel.

“We’re pleased that SLED will look into this matter,” Sanford said in statement. “To be very clear: no public money was ever used in connection with this. We believe the best way to put those questions to rest once and for all is for SLED to ask these questions, and we plan on cooperating fully.”

SLED Chief Reggie Lloyd said late Tuesday afternoon his office had been requesting documents from the governor’s office related to his travel dates when he met with his mistress.

“I have nothing suggesting his used taxpayer dollars in any way,” Lloyd said. “We will do what the evidence will require us to do.”

Lloyd said he expects to finish going through the documents provided by the governor’s office by the end of the week.

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, who would take over as governor if Sanford resigned, squashed rumors Tuesday that he had been in talks with Republicans leaders about not running for governor in 2010 if he was given the chance to finish out Sanford’s term.

“I actually have been on the phone for two days talking to business leaders and members of the General Assembly,” Bauer said. “And it’s been mixed feelings; some of the General Assembly said that would be the most noble way to lead our state.”

As the mystery of the governor’s affair continues to come to light, more lawmakers are calling for the governor to step aside to spare the state further embarrassment.

Sanford ally and gubernatorial candidate Sen. Larry Grooms, a Berkeley County Republican, said it’s impossible at this point for the governor to regain faith from anyone in his leadership abilities.

The leading Democratic candidate for governor, Sen. Vincent Sheheen of Camden, also called on Sanford to step aside.

On Monday, three House members from the Upstate publicly asked the governor to remove himself from office.

Glenn McCall, one of South Carolina’s three voting members on the Republican National Committee and chairman of the York County GOP, is organizing a rally at the Statehouse next week of fellow Republicans to call on the governor to resign. So far, he said, about 400 people are planning to attend.

State Rep. Lester Branham, a Lake City Democrat, said it’s a personal decision for the governor to make.

“I’m deeply saddened over the whole affair, but the governor must make his decision on what he thinks is best for the citizens of South Carolina and his family,” Branham said.

With only 18 months remaining in Sanford’s final term, Republican state Rep. Kris Crawford of Florence said that transitioning to another administration would take up too much time when the state has so many pressing issues that need attention.

“As someone who’s been on a transitional staff, it takes about four to six months to get your feet on the ground,” Crawford said. “It’s just not the right decision to resign at this time.”

State Rep. Phil Lowe, another Florence Republican, said the governor has betrayed the public trust.

“I think he quickly needs to admit everything to get it out in the open so judgements can be made,” Lowe said.