August 24, 2009 10:00 AM
- Text
Jennifer Sanford's Friends Speak Out
(CBS)
South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford is back in the news: it turns out having an affair is not the only problem he's dealing with: an investigation by the Associated Press finds he failed to report 35 trips on private planes as required by state law.
The AP found that Sanford, who took office in 2003, had not disclosed on state ethics forms or campaign reports who had paid for the travel, as required by state law. Sanford was been trying to regroup after admitting to a year-long affair with an Argentinean woman.
As for Jenny Sanford, the governor's estranged wife, she spoke out about the affair last week. She said these affairs are almost like an addiction to alcohol or pornography.
She has moved out of the governor's residence with their four children and says it's up to her husband to decide if it he wants to stay married.
Two of Jenny Sanford's friends, Marjorie Wentworth and Virginia Lane, appeared on The Early Show for an exclusive interview Monday to discuss how their friend is coping with the marital woes and attention.
Lane, a friend of Jenny Sanford's for 20 years, said she is doing as well as can be expected. "She's always had this amazing ability to focus when all these trials are going on around her. Focus on what's right, what's wrong, and how to get to protecting her boys."
The women remember when Jenny Sanford told them about the affair. "It was heartbreaking. Mark's the last person on the planet we thought this would happen," Lane said.
"Everybody was shocked. And she, I think it was easier that she knew about it months before it went public. And I think it would have played out differently had that not happened. But, again, the last person you'd ever expect this to happen to," Wentworth added. "I mean, they seemed like the perfect couple with beautiful children, and his star was rising politically. So everybody is shocked. But she is doing great."
Jenny Sanford's friends say she found out about the affair after discovering a letter; they say the governor didn't deny its contents or the affair.
Asked what the focus of their relationship was after the revelation, Lane said, "She's got this amazing capacity for forgivness. And very quickly said I can forgive adultery but not condone it regularly in a marriage."
Still, the governor took that trip to South America even after his wife had found out about the affair. Wentworth says Jenny Sanford didn't know where her husband had gone in June.
Asked why she didn't play the "good wife" and stand by her man publicly like several other political wives have done in the past to support their disgraced husbands, Wentworth said, "Everything about her behavior is not surprising."
Does Jenny Sanford believe the marriage still has a future?
"She's giving it her best shot," Lane said.
Watch the complete interview:
The AP found that Sanford, who took office in 2003, had not disclosed on state ethics forms or campaign reports who had paid for the travel, as required by state law. Sanford was been trying to regroup after admitting to a year-long affair with an Argentinean woman.
As for Jenny Sanford, the governor's estranged wife, she spoke out about the affair last week. She said these affairs are almost like an addiction to alcohol or pornography.
She has moved out of the governor's residence with their four children and says it's up to her husband to decide if it he wants to stay married.
Two of Jenny Sanford's friends, Marjorie Wentworth and Virginia Lane, appeared on The Early Show for an exclusive interview Monday to discuss how their friend is coping with the marital woes and attention.
Lane, a friend of Jenny Sanford's for 20 years, said she is doing as well as can be expected. "She's always had this amazing ability to focus when all these trials are going on around her. Focus on what's right, what's wrong, and how to get to protecting her boys."
The women remember when Jenny Sanford told them about the affair. "It was heartbreaking. Mark's the last person on the planet we thought this would happen," Lane said.
"Everybody was shocked. And she, I think it was easier that she knew about it months before it went public. And I think it would have played out differently had that not happened. But, again, the last person you'd ever expect this to happen to," Wentworth added. "I mean, they seemed like the perfect couple with beautiful children, and his star was rising politically. So everybody is shocked. But she is doing great."
Jenny Sanford's friends say she found out about the affair after discovering a letter; they say the governor didn't deny its contents or the affair.
Asked what the focus of their relationship was after the revelation, Lane said, "She's got this amazing capacity for forgivness. And very quickly said I can forgive adultery but not condone it regularly in a marriage."
Still, the governor took that trip to South America even after his wife had found out about the affair. Wentworth says Jenny Sanford didn't know where her husband had gone in June.
Asked why she didn't play the "good wife" and stand by her man publicly like several other political wives have done in the past to support their disgraced husbands, Wentworth said, "Everything about her behavior is not surprising."
Does Jenny Sanford believe the marriage still has a future?
"She's giving it her best shot," Lane said.
Popular Now in CBS News
- Teen's Facebook Sex Scam
- The Best Pregnancy Tests
- Cyberbullying Continued After Teen's Death
- Eight Delicious Foods That Help Fight Belly Fat
- Which Yogurts Are Healthiest?
- How Long Foods Stay Fresh In Fridge
- Perks of Five-Hour Energy Put to Test
- "Designer Babies" Ethical?
- Ten Healthiest Fast Food Chains
- Could Protein Shakes Harm Your Health?
- Best Low-Tech Cell Phones Suitable for Seniors
- Best Sleep Positions To Rid Aches, Pains
- Can Exercise Make You Gain Weight?
- Electronic Cigarettes: Are They Safe?
- How to Stop a Cold Before It Takes Hold
- Cooking Oils That Are Good For You
- Countertop Makeover In A Paint Can
Latest CBS News Headlines
on Facebook
on CBS News
- US searches for strategy to halt Syria violence
- High court asked to undo Mont. campaign money ban
- Greece: Bill for new austerity measures submitted to parliament after Cabinet meeting
- A look at economic developments around the globe
on Facebook
- Adele sings a cappella for Anderson Cooper
- Josh Powell had "incestuous" images on his home computer, authorities say
- Adele sings a cappella for Anderson Cooper
on CBS News
