TPS COVERS EVENT AS IT HAPPENS FROM COLUMBIA

The Palmetto Scoop is at the Blatt Building on the grounds of the South Carolina Statehouse where a seven-member House Judiciary Subcommittee is holding the first impeachment hearings against Gov. Mark Sanford.

The panel is considering a resolution filed last week by Rep. Greg Delleney (R-Chester) to remove Sanford for dereliction of duty, absence without leave, deceit and cover up, and disgrace of office.

On Monday, the State Ethics Commission found 37 instances in which the disgraced governor broke state law.

The subcommittee, which is chaired by Rep. Jim Harrison (R-Richland), includes Delleney and Reps. Jenny Horne (R-Dorchester), Walt McLeod (D-Newberry), Garry Smith (R-Greenville), James Smith (D-Richland), and David Weeks (D-Sumter).

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2:02 p.m. — Meeting adjourned until Dec. 1 at 10:30 a.m.

1:59 p.m. — Committee agrees to reconvene on Dec. 1 (use of state airplane), Dec. 3 (reimbursements from campaign accounts), Dec. 7 (business class upgrades), and, if needed, Dec. 9 (other items, begin final debate on resolution). Committee will gather further information by collecting affidavits.

1:55 p.m. — J. Smith makes motion to ensure that when panel takes action, it takes action on all claims not just resolution; to expand scope of committee’s hearings to include all 37 ethics commission charges. Motion passed unanimously.

1:52 p.m. — J. Smith notes possibility of other times Sanford has abandoned his SLED detail. Asks Delleney, “Would you be interested in obtaining that information?”

1:47 p.m. — Delleney responds to criticisms of bill. Delleney notes that state constitution provides that authority over militia (national guard) falls on the governor. Only if governor is dead, declared disabled, or granted temporary absence can power devolve on lieutenant governor. Delleney notes quote from Sanford: “I’m sorry about my staff, I misled them on my whereabouts”

1:45 p.m. — Weeks expresses concern over part of resolution that says governor directed staff to deceive public about his whereabouts. English affidavit calls that into question, Weeks says, but members need more clarification.

1:43 p.m. — J. Smith, a member of the military, says that commander in chief is analogous to that of a soldier. “Analogy provided by Delleney is an appropriate one.”

1:40 p.m. — McLeod picks apart Delleney resolution, beginning with claim that there is no established chain of command. “There hasn’t been one in the past, there isn’t one now. That is not supportive of the resolution.”

1:37 p.m. — McLeod: Complement Delleney on resolution, a little shrill for a civilian. I nor the governor are members of a military organization. Terms are more fitting for individuals in uniform. He is technically in charge of national guard. For a practical matter, commander in chief is adjutant general. It doesn’t constitute dereliciton of duty because those are military terms.

1:31 p.m. — Delleney: There are two methods to remove official from public office, impeachment by House and trial by Senate or recall petition signed by requisite number of signatories. The impeachment process is much like the grand jury process, however, impeachment process is political, not trial. It is final, there is no appeal. Solely the duty of the SC House. The SC House alone decides what meets the Constitutional threshold of serious misconduct in office. This does not require the commission of a crime. [Sanford's disappearance] alone constitutes a dereliction of duty. He was absent from this state and he left no constitutional chain of command. The constitution does not contemplate a missing governor. He left his state, he left his country, and provided his staff a story of fiction to cover up his whereabouts. His conduct brought extreme disgrace and shame to office of governor of South Carolina. Our actions will set an example for generations to come.

1:29 p.m. — Harrison opens floor for members to discuss thoughts about affidavits, impeachment resolution. Delleney first.

1:26 p.m. — Compilation of seven various media accounts from disappearance entered into record. Three by AP reporter Jim Davenport, two statements by Sawyer, one by New York Times, one by Gina Smith and John O’Connor of The State newspaper.

1:22 p.m. — Affidavit from Sanford chief of staff Scott English: On afternoon of June 18, Sanford departed office and informed me he would be away on personal time. Did not speak with him again until June 22. On June 22, spoke with Sanford and he informed me he was hiking Appalachain Trail. Authorized Joel Sawyer, spokesman, to communicate information with press. Did not learn of Sanford’s actual whereabouts until June 24. During governor’s absence, office was fully operational.

1:20 p.m. — Affidavit of Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer: Had no knowledge of Sanford for duration of disappearance. My chief of staff contacted Sanford’s chief of staff — he would not confirm nor deny that governor was in the state. I said if he did not reply, I would contact press and let them know.

1:17 p.m. — SLED chief Reggie Lloyd’s testimony regarding Sanford disappearance read aloud and entered into record. J. Smith asks that option to subpoena Lloyd be kept open, Harrison says full committee must meet but option is open.

1:12 p.m. — Harrison proposes that committee meets three or four times between now and Christmas to “complete our work.” Today’s meeting will be restricted only to charges in impeachment resolution because ethics commission report was only released Monday.

1:10 p.m. — Harrison: There is little precedent for impeachment in SC… no impeachment has taken place in SC since 1877. “I can ensure the governor and the public that [this process] will be fair and open.” Sanford has been invited to all proceedings.

1:08 p.m. — Harrell: “The task before you is immense… Be thorough, be unyielding, be fair, set in stone a precedent that rises above personal politics.”

1:05 p.m. — Harrison gets the hearing started by introducing the resolution. Speaker Bobby Harrell (R-Charleston) now addressing the subcommittee.

1:03 p.m. — Looks like all seven members are in their seats and the hearing is about to begin. While the media section is full, the rest of the room is far less packed than expected.

12:50 p.m. — Sanford’s attorneys, Butch Bowers and Kevin Hall, have just arrived. Press box is entirely filled.

12:45 p.m. — In position, the room is beginning to fill up.