Family Law

SC Governor Admits Adulterous Affair

By Ben Stevens

After he gained national headlines by being "missing" for five days, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford reappeared today and admitted at a press conference that he's been having an affair with an Argentinan woman for about a year.  As part of his statement given at a press conference, Gov. Sanford admitted "I have been unfaithful to my wife," and he said that his wife has been aware of the affair for the last five months.

Gov. Sanford announced that he is resigning as Chair of the the Republican Governors Association, but it is unclear at this time whether he intends to resign as the Governor of South Carolina.  When asked that question at the news conference, he walked away from the podium without answering.  Also, he may face an investigation, as it appears that he willfully misled his staff, Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer, and the citizens of South Carolina about his whereabouts.

My thoughts are with Mrs. Sanford and the Sanford children as they deal with these difficult issues in a very public forum.  You can read more about this developing story by clicking the "Continue Reading" link below.

Additional press coverage can be found at the following sources:

• New York Times
• Washington Post
• Los Angeles Times
• Miami Herald
• National Public Radio (NPR)
• ABC News
• United Press International (UPI)
• Spartanburg Herald-Journal
• The State (Columbia, SC)

Full post as published by SC Family Law Blog on June 24, 2009 (boomark / email).