Mark Sanford's ex-wife accuses him of trespassing

Jenny Sanford filed a complaint against Sanford, who must now appear in court right after the election

Published April 17, 2013 1:12PM (EDT)

Former governor Mark Sanford will appear in court for two days after his ex-wife accused him of trespassing, according to a complaint obtained by the Associated Press.

From the AP:

The complaint says Jenny Sanford confronted Sanford leaving her Sullivans Island home on Feb. 3 by a rear door, using his cell phone for a flashlight. Her attorney filed the complaint the next day and Jenny Sanford confirmed Tuesday the documents are authentic.

The couple's 2010 divorce settlement says neither may enter the other's home without permission. Mark Sanford lives about a 20-minute drive away in downtown Charleston.

The complaint says that Mark Sanford "entered into a pattern of entering onto plaintiff's property. Plaintiff has informed defendant on a number of occasions that this behavior is in violation of the court's order and has demanded that it not occur again."

"I am doing my best not to get in the way of his race," Jenny Sanford said. "I want him to sink or swim on his own. For the sake of my children I'm trying my best not to get in the way, but he makes things difficult for me when he does things like trespassing."

Both Mark and Jenny Sanford will appear in court on May 9, just two days after the special election to fill Tim Scott's House seat. Sanford is running against Democrat Elizabeth Colbert-Busch.


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

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Related Topics ------------------------------------------

2013 Elections Elizabeth Colbert-busch Jenny Sanford Mark Sanford South Carolina