PANEL MOSTLY MUM AFTER MARATHON CLOSED-DOOR MEETING

Less than a day after lawmakers introduced a bill to impeach Gov. Mark Sanford, the South Carolina State Ethics Commission says there is “probably cause” for several charges against the disgraced governor.

The announcement came Wednesday after a nearly six hour long closed-door meeting by the panel.

“The commission met today and I received the investigative report,” said executive director Herb Hayden. “They found probable cause exists on several allegations. They wanted me to point out that a finding of probable cause is not a finding of guilt, it is only one phase in the process.”

Hayden did not release a copy of the report and did not say what, exactly, Sanford may have done wrong. The commission plans to hold a hearing detailing the charges early next year, including whether or not Sanford may have violated ethics or criminal laws.

The commission has been looking into allegations that Sanford used state aircraft for personal travel, violated state requirements by using high-priced airfare, and did not report the use of private aircraft; all stemming from the governor’s five day disappearance in June and his admission of an affair with a woman in Argentina.

State Rep. Greg Delleney (R-Chester) introduced a resolution to remove the governor from office on Tuesday, the first day of pre-filing for the upcoming legislative session. Legislators will take up the measure in January and are waiting on the results of the report to do so.