Lawyers representing South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford in an ethics investigation are asking the state Supreme Court to keep the report out of the hands of a Legislature expected to consider impeaching him.

Sanford has been under pressure to quit since revealing he disappeared for a week from the state in the summer to visit his mistress in Argentina.

His lawyer said Wednesday that he wants the court to force the State Ethics Commission to keep its investigation secret until after it decides whether Sanford broke laws by using state planes for personal and political purposes.

In August, Sanford said the commission could release its complaint against him.

Sanford contends the commission wants to give lawmakers an early report on the probe. Ethics Director Herb Hayden says that will not happen.