CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - Gov. Mark Sanford says a
Mauldin lawmaker acted unethically by tape-recording his
private meeting with House Republicans.
Sanford identified state Rep. Dan Tripp as the lawmaker who
allegedly carried a tape recorder belonging to a member of the
Statehouse press corps into the closed session last week.
Excerpts from the meeting were later published by The
(Columbia) State newspaper, detailing tense exchanges between
legislators and the governor. The taping was legal under South
Carolina law.
"Certainly what he did was absolutely in my book
unethical," Sanford said Tuesday after addressing the
Charleston Rotary Club. "Positively I'll talk to him."
Sanford said the House GOP Caucus should look at ways to
discipline Tripp.
Tripp could not be reached for comment.
Sanford called the caucus into a closed-door meeting after
he had threatened to sue the Legislature, which overrode his
veto on a massive economic development bill. Sanford said the
legislation, which extended broader economic development
incentives to pharmaceutical companies, runs afoul of a
constitutional requirement that bills deal only with one
topic.
Sanford's press office said it learned of Tripp's
involvement from other lawmakers and Upstate media reports.
House Speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville, said Tuesday
that Tripp likely will be confronted when the caucus meets in
two weeks. The House is on furlough this week.
Wilkins said the taping incident was unfortunate and a
mistake since the members assumed the meeting was private. He
said he didn't know what action could be taken against Tripp
if he is responsible, partly because the caucus has no rules
for such a scenario.
"I'm sure Mr. Tripp will come and respond, and we'll go
from there," Wilkins said. "But it's going to be something
we'll internally handle ourselves."
Sanford said some of Tripp's remarks in the meeting
appeared crafted for the benefit of the tape recorder.
"He was, in essence, trying to bait me, saying crazy things
about (Commerce Secretary) Bob Faith." Sanford characterized
what Tripp did as "trying to get you off your edge, and get
you basically heated under the collar. And that's not right."
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Information from: The Post and Courier,
http://www.charleston.net
