WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Sanford's request of secrecy denied in Supreme Court case

Sanford's request of secrecy denied in Supreme Court case

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - The State Supreme Court says the investigation into Gov. Mark Sanford's travel cannot be kept secret.

Justices also say it does not have to be released to lawmakers.

In basic terms, the court denied House Speaker Bobby Harrell's request to force the Ethics Commission to release the preliminary report to lawmakers.

They also denied Sanford's request to keep the report secret.

Now it's up to the Ethics Commission to rule on a motion from Sanford to block the report from being released.

Sanford's attorney, Butch Bowers, responded to the result.

"Governor Sanford supports the public release of the full and complete ethics report, and we believe that once all of the facts and the complete story are on the table, people will see that this administration has consistently been a good steward for the taxpayer," said Bowers in a statement.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell has said lawmakers will not move forward until they see the report on Sanford's use of state planes for personal and political purposes and other travel and campaign finance issues.

Previous Stories:

• Secrecy waiver deadline approaches for Sanford
• Attorneys: Law doesn't let Sanford waive secrecy
• Sanford asks court to block release of ethics report
• Supreme Court orders more info in Sanford case
• State Supreme Court hears gov's ethics challenge
• Up to SC high court to rule in Sanford ethics case
• Ethics Commission: Law allows House to see Sanford report

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