early and awkward

Ex-Wife Says Mark Sanford Has a Habit of Trespassing in Her Home

 South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford pauses during a hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee on Capitol Hill October 29, 2008 in Washington, DC. The hearing was focused on economic recovery and job creation through investment.
Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Mark Sanford’s effort to convince South Carolina voters that he’s moved past lying about his whereabouts probably won’t be helped by the news that Jenny Sanford is taking him to court for allegedly trespassing in her home. Under the terms of their divorce settlement the Sanfords aren’t allowed to enter each other’s homes without permission, yet according to court documents obtained by the Associated Press, Jenny says she found her ex-husband exiting her Sullivans Island, South Carolina home on February 3. And just for an added layer of creepiness, he was sneaking out through the back door and using his phone as a flashlight.

Jenny Sanford’s lawyer said in a complaint filed the next day that the former governor has “entered into a pattern” of trespassing in the house, and his ex-wife has spoken to him about it on “a number of occasions.”

Mark Sanford is now due in court two days after he challenges Elizabeth Colbert Busch for a vacant congressional seat. Jenny Sanford says the date was set by the court, and insists she isn’t trying to sabotage the election. “I am doing my best not to get in the way of his race,” she told the AP. “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.”

Ex Says Sanford Has Been Trespassing in Her Home