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Accounts of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford’s six-day absence from his public duties remain unclear and, in some instances, contradictory. A look at what is known and how accounts by Sanford’s staff have changed as word of his mystery trip became known and public officials became alarmed:
Thursday, June 18
- Sanford leaves the Governor’s Mansion in a black State Law Enforcement Division Suburban assigned to his security detail. A precise time is unavailable.
- A mobile telephone tower in Atlanta near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport picks up a signal from Sanford’s phone. It is the last signal before his phones are turned off for days.
Friday, June 19
Law enforcement officials get no response to phone and text messages sent to Sanford.
Saturday, June 20
- The governor’s office reports to police that there is no reason for concern but provides no details.
- S.C. State Sen. Jake Knotts, R-Lexington, calls SLED chief Reggie Lloyd about rumors that no one knows where Sanford is and no one can reach him. Lloyd confirms that Sanford’s whereabouts are unknown.
Sunday, June 21
- Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer learns Sanford’s whereabouts are unknown.
Monday, June 22
- Morning — Reporters hear rumors that Sanford’s location is a mystery.
- 2:30 p.m. — Knotts issues a statement raising questions about Sanford’s absence, asking who is in charge of the executive branch of S.C. government.
- 2:50 p.m. — The governor’s office issues a statement that Sanford “is taking some time away from the office this week to recharge after the stimulus battle. ... We are not going to discuss the specifics.”
- 3 p.m. —The Associated Press reports that first lady Jenny Sanford says she does not know where her husband is, but he is taking time away from their four boys, “to write something.” She says she is not worried.
- Midafternoon — Sanford security officials are told by the governor’s office that he is OK. No details are provided.
- 3:40 p.m. — The lieutenant governor’s office says Sanford’s office says it has spoken to Sanford and knows where he is.
- About 5 p.m. — Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer denies that Sanford staffers told Bauer’s office that someone had spoken with the governor.
- 5 p.m. — As media inquiries escalate to include national news outlets, Sawyer issues another statement. It says, in part, “Before leaving last week, (Sanford) let staff know his whereabouts and that he'd be difficult to reach.” He declines to elaborate.
- 10:05 p.m. — The governor’s office issues a statement saying Sanford is hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Staff members do not know where Sanford is on the trail and will not say whether he is hiking with anyone.
Tuesday, June 23
- 9:42 a.m. — The governor’s office issues a statement saying staffers have spoken with Sanford and he would return to work Wednesday.
Wednesday, June 24
- Early morning — Gov. Sanford arrives at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for the drive back to Columbia.
