Senator John Ensign (AP)
The US Senate Ethics Committee yesterday have started to issue document subpoenas to those involved with or knowledge of the Sex, Lies, and Lobbying that have embroiled Senator John Ensign (R-NV) since his announcement this past June of having an affair with Cindy Hampton, who worked for the Senator along with her husband Doug Hampton who was a top aide in Ensign‘s office as well as a good friend of the Senator fro 20 years.
Several People have said that they have received document subpoenas from the Ethics Committee asking for any records in their possession that may be related to Senator Ensign, and the Hampton‘s.
The Senator has admitted that his parents “gifted” $96,000 dollars to the Hampton’s and says it was not a payoff or a severance to keep them quiet. If the $96,000 dollar payments were not disclosed as required by campaign finance law, Ensign could face felony criminal charges.
Ensign is also being investigated for helping Doug Hampton land a lobby job where he ended up lobbying the Senator which is also illegal.
In an interview this past week with on KNXT 840 in Las Vegas, NV, Senator Ensign said he did not do anything wrong, “it’s a common practice, completely legal I complied with all Senate ethics rules and applicable laws”.
Doug Hampton gave an interview last month to ABC’s Nightline because he wants Senator Ensign held accountable. Hampton said, "Lost my job. Lost my best friend. Nearly lost my wife”. Hampton went on to say, “It’s hard to comprehend what's still taking place, what's going on this moment, with regards to the unraveling of the choices and the decisions that John's made,"
Hampton told "Nightline" that the $96,000 was a severance and not a gift. "Crystal clear," Hampton said. "I took notes. I've shared those notes. They're well documented. They were clearly what he deemed as severance."
The Department of Justice and the Federal Elections Commission have been asked to look into the legality of the $96,000 in severance.
Ensign said he wishes’ he could take back the 9 months that he was sleeping with Cindy Hampton, he said, “the worst thing he‘s ever done.”
Well, as it turns out his affair with Cindy Hampton now seems to be the least of his worries, landing Doug Hampton the lobby job so Hampton can turn around and lobby Ensign and the $96,000 dollars in severance are both illegal, while his affair was only immoral.
Ensign has stated that he has no intentions of resigning and that he plans on fulfilling his term in office which has three more years. Republicans have already shown that they don't care if adulterers continue caucusing with their party as evident with Senator David Vitter (R-LA) who admitted having sex with prostitutes in July 2007 and is still serving in the US Senate.
Stay tuned, this will certainly be smoldering for the next several months as Democrats let Ensign’s immoral and illegal actions twist in the wind for all to see.
Comments
Ensign: "I did nothing illegal" !!
Why do companies hire a lobbyist?
It's so that the lobbyist makes the company more money than the company pays the lobbyist in salary.
Who did Hampton lobby - besides Ensign?
Ensign knew that the 100's of 1,000's of dollars Hampton would be making in salary would be the result of millions of dollars in revenue received by the hiring company - coming directly from Ensign's Senatorial actions.
For those of "gentle persuasion" - that's millions of tax dollars going to a company that hired Doug Hampton because John Ensign wanted to pay hush money! Legally!!!
It gets worse.
Hampton is going to be in trouble also - it wasn't just Ensign that did all this with full knowledge!
Then why is Hampton risking so much - just to punish Ensign?
Ensign knew what he was doing was illegal. But!!!, once he got Hampton to enjoin in such illegal behaviour, he knew Hampton was implicated and would not take action. It's one of the oldest tricks
Ensign knew what he was doing was illegal. But!!!, once he got Hampton to enjoin in such illegal behaviour, he knew Hampton was implicated and would not take action. It's one of the oldest tricks in the book for organized criminals.
This lobby job was a carefully laid trap by Ensign for Hampton.
Hat's off to Hampton for "man'in up!" and exposing Ensign - even to his own peril. This sounds like someone who is truly repentant - and deserves our support.
Hampton found out about the "real" Ensign - but too late!
He's going to keep other innocent people from getting the "Ensign Victimization"!!!!
Remember that Hampton agreed to the job - but was later upset when it didn't result in all the monies promised by Ensign - but what really got his blood boiling was when he found out that Ensign was still wanting to get back into Mrs Hampton's knickers.
Remember that Hampton agreed to the job - but was later upset when it didn't result in all the monies promised by Ensign - but what really got his blood boiling was when he found out that Ensign was still wanting to get back into Mrs Hampton's knickers.
When Hampton went back to Ensign to discuss the problem - Ensign would have nothing to do with him - he didn't have to. Hampton now had nothing over Ensign. Ensign never figured Hampton would have the "testicles" to expose Ensign - even though it would implicate Hampton.
Hampton a cuckold? I think not! Remember that Hampton only agreed to the Lobby job after Ensign swore to no longer "Willy-Dip" Hampton's wife. (swear? yeah, you know - that thing that moral men do to create a covenant!)
Ensign has been playing the whole moral/Christian community from day one. The Republicans figured out clear back in the days of Reagan that the Christian label was the only way to remain in power.
Unfortunately, Clinton realized that creating
Unfortunately, Clinton realized that creating a 3rd party that split the Republicans would allow the "Clinton Catastrophy" to rule the country for 2 terms. (hint: the Rose Law Firm - Hillary's firm - handled Perot's business).
This is why I am no longer a Republican!!!
I'm an Independant looking for viable option - and the Democrats definitely aren't it !!!!!
NO MORE VOTING FOR THE LESSER OF 2 EVILS !!!!!!!!!
What's always mystified me is, the Hamptons have three kids, but only two "got" the $12,000 "gifts" from each of Ensign's parents. Did the third kid have the moral and ethical sense to decline to participate in the scheme?
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