(AP) -- COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Authorities say a 73-year-old man was escorted off a plane at the Charleston airport after crew members said he threatened former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, who was seated next to him.
Charleston Aviation Authority Police Chief Al Britnell says the pilot of the Delta plane flying to Charleston from New York called ahead to have officers waiting at the gate after flight attendants said the man was making verbal threats against Sanford.
Britnell says the man from Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., did not threaten to harm Sanford but yelled about having friends in politics and seemed irritated with passengers including Sanford.
Britnell says the man was questioned and released with no charges.
Sanford did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
