Sanford's driver issued speeding ticket

Embattled South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's (R) attempt to evade a speeding ticket on Tuesday has now all but become a full-fledged controversy.

The saga began after a local patrol officer pulled over Sanford's car for driving at 85 mph, well over the highway's speed limit. But soon after the officer, Lance Cpl. R.S. Salter, announced to the driver he would be ticketed for speeding, the driver merely replied, "Tell him that."

The two returned to the car, the officer peered into the backseat window and Sanford introduced himself as governor, shaking the trooper's hand. Slater then issued a warning to the driver, but he did not ticket him for speeding. (Watch the video of the incident here.)

The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), however, decided to review the patrol tape on Wednesday. Ultimately, SLED officials concluded the officer should have ticketed governor's driver, and its chief later indicated they would investigate the agent's conduct.

"He did something that I thought was totally inappropriate, from the standpoint of the trooper, as well as the governor," SLED Chief Reggie Lloyd told The State newspaper. "I think we as an agency owe Trooper Salter, as well as the governor, an apology."