The remaining 14 months of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's term may be about to get still more excruciating. The state ethics panel announced today it is moving ahead with its investigation of Sanford's travel and use of state funds in connection with his affair with an Argentinian woman, The State reports.

Now that the panel has found probable cause on several unspecified legal or ethical violations, it will hear witnesses and ultimately determine Sanford's guilt or innocence. In an interview with The State, Sanford's lawyer maintained the charges at issue are "minor, technical matters."

It is up to the governor whether the ethics panel's hearing on the allegations will be public.

The State has more details.