Update: 11-5-09 5:33 pm
Read more: Local, State, Breaking, Politics, Sanford, Supreme Court, Ruling
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina's Supreme Court says the ethics investigation into Gov. Mark Sanford's travel can't be kept secret.
The ruling Thursday clears the way for an investigative report by the Ethics Commission to be given to lawmakers, who are considering whether to remove the two-term Republican from office.
Sanford had argued the substance of the investigation should be confidential. However, the high court said the governor waived confidentiality, meaning that nearly everything generated by the commission can't be secret.
The state Supreme Court also denied House lawmakers' request to get a preliminary version of the Ethics Commission's investigative report.
A spokesman for House Speaker Bobby Harrell (R-Charleston) told WACH FOX News Wednesday that lawmakers are pleased with the court's decision.
"Governor Sanford promised the public an open process and we are happy to see the court hold him to that pledge," said spokesman Greg Foster.
Governor Mark Sanford's office declined a request for comment and referred all media inquiries to the governor's attorney, Butch Bowers.
Bowers released a statement this afternoon. It reads in part, "we've fully cooperated with the Commission thus far, and we will continue to do so throughout this process. To be clear, Governor Sanford supports the public release of the full and complete Ethics report."
Sanford's travel has been under scrutiny since he slipped his security detail and skipped the state for five days in June to rendezvous with his Argentine lover. An Associated Press investigation called many of his travel practices into question.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report)
