COLUMBIA--Gov. Mark Sanford acted swiftly Friday,
firing a senior aide one day after he was arrested and charged with public
drunkenness.
Michael Cavanaugh, 53, served as Sanford's administration director since
October 2004 and previously worked as the director of the State Office of Victim
Assistance.
Columbia police arrested him at 3:30 a.m. Thursday on a street sidewalk. The
police report said he was "grossly intoxicated" and "unable to stand on his feet
without assistance."
"There are higher standards for someone in a leadership position in the
governor's office," said Joel Sawyer, a governor's spokesman. "This kind of
behavior isn't what's expected from someone in that position."
Cavanaugh told The Associated Press that he hoped to be accepted into a
pre-trial intervention, which allows first-time offenders to clear their record
after they complete the program.
In the governor's office, Cavanaugh was responsible for overseeing personnel
and information technology. His annual salary was $74,245. He also oversaw the
directors of five programs: South Carolina Guardian ad Litem, the Office of
Economic Opportunity, the Foster Care Review Board, the Office of Veterans
Affairs, and the Office of Small and Minority Business Assistance.
Cavanaugh previously served under Gov. Carroll Campbell as director of the
Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services.
In July, Sanford also was quick to respond about former spokesman Will Folks,
who pleaded guilty Wednesday to criminal domestic violence.
One week after Folks was arrested, Sanford said his behavior was "a stupid
and tragic mistake."
After the governor's comment, Folks said he would plead guilty. If his
longtime boss didn't have faith in him, then a jury wouldn't either, Folks said
at the time.
John Frank covers state politics and the Legislature from Columbia. Contact
him at (803) 799-9051 or jbfrank@postandcourier.com.
