Read more: State, Politics, Local, South Carolina Lawmakers, Third Hearing, Possible Impeachment, Gov. Mark Sanford
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A South Carolina legislative panel considering whether to oust Gov. Mark Sanford will not consider state ethics charges that accuse the two-term Republican of improperly flying in expensive airline seats and reimbursing himself from campaign funds.
Members of a House Judiciary Committee panel on Thursday voted to remove 28 of 37 State Ethics Commission charges from its debate over whether the governor should be impeached.
Lawmakers are reviewing other civil charges, mostly involving his use of state aircraft. An ethics hearing is to consider all the charges early next year and could bring thousands in fines.
The Republican has faced scrutiny since he returned in June from a five-day absence and revealed a yearlong affair with a woman in Argentina.
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SC panel holds 3rd hearing on Sanford impeachment
South Carolina lawmakers are holding a third hearing over the possible impeachment of Gov. Mark Sanford.
The House Judiciary Committee panel is holding a hearing Thursday to discuss state Ethics Commission charges accusing Sanford of improperly purchasing expensive commercial airline tickets and reimbursing himself from campaign funds.
It's the third hearing for legislators reviewing the ethics charges, as well as a resolution accusing Sanford of abandoning the state.
On Tuesday, Sanford's attorneys said their client did nothing improper by using state-owned planes for travel that included personal and political events.
The Republican has faced scrutiny since he returned in June from a five-day absence and revealed a yearlong affair with a woman in Argentina.
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