Governor’s use of plane questioned

? South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford used state aircraft for personal and political trips, often bringing along his wife and children — contrary to state law regarding official use, an Associated Press investigation has found.

Records reviewed by the AP show that since he took office in 2003, the two-term Republican has taken trips on state aircraft to locations of his children’s sporting events, hair and dentist appointments, political party gatherings and a birthday party for a campaign donor.

According to state budget law, “Any and all aircraft owned or operated by agencies of the State Government shall be used only for official business.”

Sanford, 49, has been under increased scrutiny since he admitted in June to having a mistress in Argentina. He’s vowed to stay in office and says he is trying to reconcile with his wife, though she moved out of the governor’s official residence on Friday with their sons and plans to spend the school year at the family’s beach house.