JUSTICES COULD GIVE VERDICT ON ACCESS TO REPORT THIS WEEK

The 12-day window for attorneys arguing over access to a State Ethics Commission investigation into Gov. Mark Sanford has expired. And that means the South Carolina Supreme Court is now set to decide whether or not state lawmakers will be allowed to view the State Ethics Commission’s preliminary report on the case.

Over the past two weeks, the state’s highest court has heard back and forth arguments from lawyers for the Ethics Commission and lawyers for Sanford.

The Ethics Commission is investigating Sanford over allegations that he misused state aircraft and other resources including campaign money, that she believes he is dragging his feet to slow down the commission’s progress.

Sanford waived confidentiality in the case in August, a claim the Ethics Commission says grants legislative access to the report.

But Sanford’s attorneys argued Monday that the Ethics Commission and House of Representatives, which is considering impeaching the disgraced governor, failed to prove he chose to waive confidentiality and release a preliminary investigative report.

The court will now decide whether the General Assembly and others will be allowed to review the commission’s findings and a ruling could come this week.