Gov. Mark Sanford: Divorced, term-limited and fined

South Carolina's Republican Gov. Mark Sanford will pay $74,000 in fines for ethics violations. A judge granted Jenny Sanford's divorce. And, Sanford will leave office in January due to term limits.

A March 19 report in The Washington Post indicates that S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford has agreed to pay $74,000 in fines in an effort to end dozens of ethics violation charges. The same day that Sanford agreed to pay the fines, a judge granted Jenny Stanford's expedited divorce from him. Last year, the State Ethics Commission brought 37 civil charges against the governor, including his using taxpayer money to fund rendevous with mistress in Argentina. Other charges include personal use of state-owned aircraft for trips and reimbursing himself nearly $3,000 using campaign contributions. Sanford signed a consent agreement which means that "he does not admit to violating state ethics laws but does not dispute the accusations either." Sanford will leave office in January 2011 due to term limits. Leaving office does not, however, mean that criminal charges cannot be filed against him. Sanford was the first sitting governor in South Carolina history to be censured. Lawmakers decided to censure Sanford rather than impeach him. Jenny Sanford filed for divorce in December and requested an accelerated decision based upon her husband's infidelity. Without an accelerated decision, couples in South Carolina must be separated for one year before they can be granted a no-fault divorce. Family Court Judge Jocelyn Cate granted the accelerated decision request and finalized Sanford's divorce. Judge Cate said in her order, "Plaintiff has carried out her burden of proof in convincing the Court of Defendant's adultery." The Sanfords had been married for twenty years. Jenny Sanford is now living in a Sullivans Island beachfront home with the couples four sons, and has recently completed a book tour promoting her memoir.