SC Gov. Sanford saw Argentine lover in Florida

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said Wednesday he spent last weekend in Florida with his Argentine lover, hoping to rekindle the affair that wrecked his marriage and his political future and brought a formal rebuke from legislators for embarrassing the state.

At a news conference on an unrelated issue, Sanford conceded he owes the public the assurance that he’s safe and in communication with his office but said the media is obsessed with his personal life.

Sanford did not mention Maria Belen Chapur of Argentina by name when asked about a weekend trip out of state about which his staff has refused to provide details. But the governor, now divorced, left no room for doubt.