Car loaned to Sanford official had strictly regulated dealer tags
Associated Press
COLUMBIA--The state Department of Motor Vehicles is inquiring about the decision by a Columbia car dealer to loan a $36,000 Corvette to Gov. Mark Sanford's spokesman last month.
The 2001 red Corvette convertible had dealer tags, which are strictly limited by state law.
"We're reviewing the issue and taking the appropriate action," DMV spokeswoman Beth Parks said Wednesday. "There's a case open," and it has been assigned to an agent, she said.
Inappropriate use of a dealer license plate can result in a $300 fine and the forfeiture of the plate.
Gandolfo sold a car to Sanford spokesman Will Folks in December. Folks said part of that deal included receiving new tires for the car at a later date.
Last month, when Folks took his car in for the tires, Gandolfo loaned him the Corvette. Folks drove it May 21-28.
State law says dealer plates "may be used exclusively on motor vehicles owned by, assigned or loaned for test driving purposes to the dealer when operated on the highways of this state by the dealer, its corporate officers, its employees or a prospective purchaser of the motor vehicle."
Gandolfo did not immediately return a call Wednesday seeking comment. He said Tuesday that Folks wasn't a prospective buyer. Gandolfo told The Associated Press he was aware of the law limiting how dealer tags can be used and said he generally doesn't allow customers to use cars with dealer tags while their vehicles are in for repairs.
Despite his involvement in revamping DMV last year, Gandolfo "is not involved in anything we're doing at DMV right now," Parks said.
Folks, it appears, did nothing illegal by borrowing the car and did not violate state ethics rules, although some legislators questioned the appearance of a governor's staff member driving a car provided by a dealer that advises the governor. Sanford's office said the governor would not comment.
Legislators said it may be time to look at tougher laws governing public employees and the gifts or favors they receive. "We need tighter legislation to prevent high-ranking staff officials from being given valuable property," said Rep. John Graham Altman III, R-Charleston.
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