John Ensign Continues to Disgrace Nevada

because he won't resign. According to a report, a federal grand jury has issued subpoenas in the Ensign/Hampton probe:

A federal grand jury reportedly has issued subpoenas in a probe of Sen. John Ensign of Nevada, who has been under scrutiny for his efforts to find lobbying work for the husband of his former mistress.

According to one subpoena obtained by a Las Vegas television station, recipients were ordered to testify March 31 in Washington, D.C., and to turn over documents relating to the Republican senator.

TV station KLAS reported Thursday that the subpoenas went to six unnamed Las Vegas businesses. One of the subpoenas posted on the station's Web site blacks out the recipient's identity.

Video:

John Ensign

is probably cooked to a crisp now that more evidence is surfacing about improper actions regarding his former mistress and her husband:

Mr. Ensign, Republican of Nevada, suggested that a Las Vegas development firm hire the husband, Douglas Hampton, after it had sought the senator’s help on several energy projects in 2008, according to e-mail messages and interviews with company executives.

The messages are the first written records from Mr. Ensign documenting his efforts to find clients for Mr. Hampton, a top aide and close friend, after the senator had an affair with his wife, Cynthia Hampton. They appear to undercut the senator’s assertion that he did not know the work might involve Congressional lobbying, which could violate a federal ban on such activities by staff members for a year after leaving government.

The e-mail messages also hint at what Mr. Ensign’s office now says was an effort by the Las Vegas firm, a small energy investment business called P2SA Equity, to improperly link Mr. Ensign’s possible assistance to a promised donation.

Of course this was done to contain the extramarital scandal involving Ensign and Doug Hampton's wife Cindy.

"How wonderful it is. ... Scared, but excited."

Like our illustrious governor, John Ensign also has a fondness for texting messages to girlfriends while being married himself.

Video:

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I'll be surprised if Ensign doesn't resign soon.

Here is the Nightline broadcast from ABC:

Part One

Part Two

Can This Senator's Career Be Saved?

Not SHOULD it, of course, but CAN it?

The question was asked, but Republican Sen. John Ensign is declining to say whether he has been contacted by federal authorities in a possible investigation into the lobbying activities of his former aide, Doug Hampton.

Ensign was friendly enough as he offered a few brief hallway comments before ducking into a Republican Party meeting in the Senate this week. Mostly, he referred questions about the investigation back to his previous statements. He looked tired.

The senator has said previously he did nothing wrong in helping to get a job for Hampton, whose wife, Cindy, is a former campaign staffer with whom the senator was having an affair. Hampton has admitted to violating the one-year ban on lobbying his former boss, and suggested in a New York Times story that Ensign was aware they were violating the ban.

Should This Political Career Be Saved?

Ensign is making more excuses for his malfeasance, claiming he broke no ethics rules when he tried to secure a lucrative job for the husband of Ensign's girlfriend.

It's possible Ensign's career may go down the toilet, but I never overestimate the intelligence of Nevada voters.

The John Ensign Soap Opera Number 1889

Did Ensign try to round up clients for his mistress's husband?

Ensign

It just keeps getting better:

Sen. John Ensign said Thursday his parents gave his mistress and her family nearly $100,000 "out of concern for the well being of longtime family friends during a difficult time," providing his first public acknowledgment that the woman received payments tied to the affair.

In a statement through his attorney, Ensign described the April 2008 payment as a single check for $96,000 given to Cindy and Doug Hampton and two of their children. The Hampton family received the check after the senator told his parents of his affair with Cindy Hampton, a campaign aide and longtime friend.

Part two of the Hampton interview is here.

I enjoyed this comment on the Washington Post comments section:

benighse wrote:
Alright, let's see if we have this correct: 1) Ensign gets wind of a FoxNews leak and admits an affair--it hits the front pages; 2) Sanford hears about it and two days later hops a plane to Buenos Aries to boink his mistress and relieve Ensign of his front page status; 3) Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett bounce them both from the front pages, so Sanford confesses even more, and gets back in the news; 4) Sarah Palin says, "you boys can't get ALL the publicity about NOT resigning, so I'll resign for you, and get ALL the front page stories for a week" and it works for a few days; 5) Ensign says "that's enough Sarah" and let's the evil mistress's husband tell lies about it only being a $25,000.00 payment, and says "you liar, it was at least $96,000.00 and mommy and daddy have the checks to prove it." 6) WHAT's NEXT? --- All we know is if the game goes like Monopoly, it's Sanford's roll of the dice, and Sarah is waiting at Park Place or Boardwalk to make the big money when it's her turn again....TRUTH, STRANGER THAN FICTION....
7/9/2009 10:23:55 PM

The Ensign Follies

Is it over for John Ensign? This is truly bad shit, as Doug Hampton has spoken publicly about his wife's affair with the Nevada senator. He says Ensign continued to pursue Hampton's wife, Cindy, even after intermediaries tried to stop it.

There is an interview on the Las Vegas Sun site you will not want to miss.

Hampton said that Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and others urged him to end the affair and help the Hamptons pay off their home and move to Colorado. But Ensign was so infatuated that he continued, Hampton said.

John Hart, Coburn's communications director, released a statement Wednesday afternoon saying Ensign should have ended the affair.

"Dr. Coburn did everything he could to encourage Senator Ensign to end his affair and to persuade Senator Ensign to repair the damage he had caused to his own marriage and the Hampton’s marriage," according to the statement. "Had Senator Ensign followed Dr. Coburn’s advice, this episode would have ended, and been made public, long ago."

But the most serious part of the interview is the fact Ensign paid a $25,000 severance to Cindy Hampton:

Campaign reports show no such in-kind payment from Ensign to either his personal campaign committee or his Battle Born leadership Political Action Committee, according CREW, which filed complaints June 24 with the Federal Elections Commission and the Senate Ethics Committee.

Ensign is in deep doo-doo. He should probably resign.

More Screwing Around Stuff

A self-described watchdog group wants an investigation into Senator John Ensign's relationship with the Hamptons.

What the hell is the matter with these elected officials, or even people like John Edwards, who put himself out there in public only to be permanently disgraced? When you're a public figure, your life really isn't your own anymore, and you can expect to be followed endlessly around.

Ensign Follies

Ensign's side is trying to play hardball and claim the Hamptons tried to extort money from him or whatever.

Well, ask John Edwards about the folly of screwing around when you're a public official or a public figure. Regardless of whether blackmail or extortion was involved with Ensign, having an affair opens one up to such possibilities.

Still More John Ensign

Fox News is denying receiving any letter from Doug Hampton (see below for letter details):

But Fox News tells The Huffington Post the letter never made it to Kelly or the network. "He might have sent it, but we never received it," said Tom Lowell, senior producer of America's Newsroom. "He did reach out to us about 24 hours before the news conference, and he sent an e-mail to a booker on my staff...We followed up with him, but he seemed evasive and not credible, thus we didn't pursue it."

Stay tuned.

More Ensign

Doug Hampton (above in a still from a KLAS video--apparently his wife is under wraps and no pictures have surfaced on the internet so far) apparently approached Fox News with a letter detailing the hypocrite's endless pursuit of his wife, Cindy.

In his letter, Hampton, a former top administrative aide in Ensign’s Capitol Hill office, said: “The actions of Senator Ensign have ruined our lives and careers and left my family in shambles. We have lost significant income, suffered indescribable pain and emotional suffering. We find ourselves today with an overwhelming loss of relationships, career opportunities and hope for recovery. Our pursuit of justice continues to place me and my family in harm’s way as we fear for our well being.”

That's why Ensign went public. There was NO evidence of blackmail; he was caught.

The text of the letter is here. A snip:

The unethical behavior and immoral choice of Senator Ensign has been confronted by me and others on a number of occasions over this past year. In fact one of the confrontations took place in February 2008 at his home in Washington DC (sic) with a group of his peers. One of the attendee’s (sic) was Senator Tom Coburn from Oklahoma as well as several other men who are close to the Senator. Senator Ensign’s conduct and relentless pursuit of my wife led to our dismissal in April of 2008. I would like to say he stopped his heinous conduct and pursuit upon our leaving, but that was not the case and his actions did not subside until August of 2008.

The actions of Senator Ensign have ruined our lives and careers and left my family in shambles. We have lost significant income, suffered indescribable pain and emotional suffering. We find ourselves today with an overwhelming loss of relationships, career opportunities and hope for recovery. Our pursuit of justice continues to place me and my family in harm’s way as we fear for our well being (sic).

Today, Senator Ensign’s responsibility and stature have increased within the US (sic) Senate. His is currently the head of “Policy” for the Republican Party, the number four position within the Parties (sic) leadership team. We on the other hand are completely ruined and left to deal with the aftermath of very evil and completely unjustifiable acts by one of our countries (sic) top leaders.

It appears there may be nothing the law can do to correct and bring justice and restitution to (sic) this terrible wrong that has been done to us. I have sought a number of lawyers who are having difficulty finding charges that may hold up in court. There are either technicalities that exist due to the time period in which I have sought help, or other nuances that quite frankly make no sense to me given the egregious acts and blatant abuse of power by Senator Ensign. From my perspective this whole nightmare is terribly wrong and completely unacceptable and should not be tolerated.

Stick a fork in John Ensign. He's done.

Why Now, Ensign? [Updated]

Since his presidential ambitions, such as they were, are shot anyway, what was the point in bringing it out into the open now?

By the way, there is NO evidence of blackmail made by the Hamptons.

“There are a lot of legitimate questions,” said a Nevada Republican operative who was granted anonymity to speak freely.

Chief among them:

• Has Ensign contacted authorities about the alleged extortion? If not, why not?

• What other reason could Ensign have for revealing the affair?

• Were payments to the Hamptons, documented in Senate and federal election records, intended to ensure their silence about the affair?

• Was the subsequent employment of Doug Hampton at Ensign-connected political consulting firm November Inc. also intended to win his silence? Did Ensign help secure a consulting contract for Hampton from Allegiant Air, which is a significant contributor to Ensign’s campaign funds?

Ending their own silence, the Hamptons appear ready for a public fight.

Pass the popcorn. This should be good.

I agree there has to be much, much more to the story.

It may be very hard for Ensign to move on, especially with the appearance of impropriety in the Hamptons' salaries being raised.

And what about Allegiant Air?

It's Okay if You're a Republican--Maybe

Earlier I posted a picture but it was actually of Ensign and his wife of how ever many years, Darlene. I deleted it. I don't want to post something wrong.

However, the AP does have a picture of Doug Hampton here. I haven't seen any of Cynthia so far. I am sure that will change.

Because of the junior senator of Nevada's woes, Republicans weren't quick to make excuses for his behavior:

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., in accepting Ensign's resignation from the Republican Policy Committee, said: "He's accepted responsibility for his actions and apologized to his family and constituents."

Several Republican senators tiptoed around the matter of Ensign's affair Wednesday, declining to comment or saying they were not ready to weigh in. But it was becoming clear that the Nevadan's hold on his leadership post was becoming tenuous.

Before the disclosure that Ensign was stepping aside, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said he did not think that the Nevadan should be removed.

But asked whether Ensign could still be an effective spokesman for the party, Graham said, "No."

"I just think he needs to take care of his family situation and get back to work," Graham said.

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said Ensign could use forgiveness.

"If you look at it in the light of everybody makes errors, at least he fessed up and resolved the problem with his family, so I think it speaks well of his corrective force."

"Corrective force" = saving face

I like this comment after the article:

Mr. B wrote on June 18, 2009 07:34 AM:

"Democrats get a pass for immoral behavior and conservatives get the wrath."

Reply:

~Bill Clinton and his family hardly got "a pass" from the media or GOP members of Congress (including Mr. Ensign)...1998-2000 was a nightmare.

~Did Governor Eliot Spitzer get "a pass" for his affair?

~Did Sen. John Edwards get "a pass" for his affair?

~Did Sen. Gary Hart get "a pass" in 1988 when running for president?

I guess it all depends on your definition of "pass."

Oh, let's not forget the distinguished Sen. Vitter from Louisiana (R)...he seems to be doing alright despite "the wrath" he incurred.

Regardless of whether a Republican does it or a Democrat does it, adultery is wrong. Nobody's perfect, but we really ought to be able to hold our "leaders" to a higher standard...especially when their decision-making skills affect our lives.

Neither party is above scandal. The inherent hypocrisy, though, that oozes from Ensign's party (a party which so sanctimoniously prides itself on "family values" and unfairly judges others on their lifestyles) is beyond reprehensible.

More of Dimwit's Dalliances

Reportedly Ensign's mistress must have been pretty good in the sack for him to have doubled her salary during their torrid affair.

Her hubby also profited nicely.

More Ensign Sleaze, as if There is Any Other Kind of Ensign Story

The son of Ensign's mistress was paid by a GOP committee while his mom and her boss were carrying on a torrid affair. Of course Cindy Hampton was paid a tidy sum for her "work" for the senator from Nevada:

An Associated Press review of federal records showed Cynthia Hampton, 46, received a promotion and a pay raise around the time of the affair at one political entity controlled by Ensign and a pay raise at a second. Her husband was an employee in Ensign's Senate office.

Ensign told a hastily arranged news briefing on Tuesday he had an extramarital affair with a woman on his campaign payroll, and it lasted several months, ending last August.

The disclosure resurrected questions about a two-week period in 2002, when Ensign abruptly dropped from public view. A person familiar with that episode, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said Tuesday the senator told a close associate the absence followed an earlier affair.

Ensign O'Foole, Part II

Yep, it's true: Cindy Hampton, one-time aide to Senator John Ensign, confirms she was the one who carried on with the senator behind her own husband's back:

A former campaign staffer for Sen. John Ensign is confirming her involvement in an extramarital affair.

Daniel Albregts, a Las Vegas lawyer for the couple, says that Doug and Cindy Hampton confirm that they are the couple Ensign referred to during his news briefing Tuesday.

This won't be the end of it, either. Both the husband and the wife will give their side of the story later.

Here is the video of Ensign's confession, er, announcement, which I can't steal from YouTube or the LVRJ to post here.

Actually, I could steal it:



Ensign says the affair was the biggest mistake of his life.

Electing Ensign was the biggest mistake Nevadans ever made--well, almost. I forgot about Jimbo.

Ensign O'Foole

So much for the theory Senator John Ensign's admitting to screwing around on his wife hasn't hurt him politically:

Republican Sen. John Ensign of Nevada has stepped down from his leadership post one day after admitting he carried on a extra-marital affair with a woman who was on his campaign staff.

Ensign conveyed his decision in a phone call with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who said he had accepted the resignation.
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Ensign was chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, the fourth-ranking spot in the leadership.

He remained away from the Capitol during the day, and aides declined to answer additional questions about the affair.

The moral of the story of Ensign O'Foole is this: When you go around sniffing other politicians' dirty underwear, expect yours to be sniffed, too, no matter how much it stinks.

Update: The (un)lucky woman in question is rumored to be 46-year-old Cindy Hampton.




In case some readers out there don't understand the title of this post, this link will give them a clue.