CHARLESTON, S.C. - 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/