Monday, Nov. 09, 2009

SC governor's campaign account has $1.7M remaining

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has $1.7 million left in his campaign finance account and can use the cash to cover legal fees tied to his ethics investigation.

Cathy Hazelwood is the State Ethics Commission general counsel and said Monday that Sanford's lawyers already have asked the State Ethics Commission if the money can be used for legal fees. Sanford's spokesman referred questions to the governor's lawyers, who did not respond immediately to a message seeking comment.

The commission is wrapping up its probe of Sanford's use of state aircraft for personal and political purposes and other issues. Commission director Herb Hayden says Sanford's lawyers were responding to the final questions Monday. The investigation will be presented to the commission on Nov. 18.

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