Sanford Defends Taxpayer-Funded Joyrides

S.C. Gov says in context of his "mess-up," using planes isn't too bad

Philandering South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford defended his use of state planes for personal travel Tuesday, saying past governors had done the same -- and that his hectic schedule meant he had to take the free rides.

"I've got a busy life," Sanford told the Associated Press after a Cabinet meeting.

"I've tried as best as I can, within the context of the current mess-up -- that has been more than well-chronicled and more than well-talked about -- to be a reasonable father while at the same time, being a good governor," Sanford said.

Sanford has been under scrutiny from the state and the media after he owned up in June to having a secret love affair with an Argentinian mistress despite a wife and four sons in the States. An AP investigation found that Sanford took joyrides on state aircraft to his kids' sporting events, hair and dentist appointments, and even a birthday party for a campaign donor.

Read more: The Associated Press

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