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Previously undisclosed e-mail messages turned over to the F.B.I. and Senate ethics investigators provide new evidence about Senator John Ensign’s efforts to steer lobbying work to the embittered husband of his former mistress and could deepen his legal and political troubles, the New York Times is reporting. 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. Ensign's communications director, Rebecca Fisher, released the following statement Wednesday night in response to the New York Times story: "Any allegation or inference that Senator Ensign’s motivation for doing his job as a Senator was anything but for the good of his state is completely false and misleading. He did everything necessary to ensure there was no impropriety whatsoever in this matter. He not only returned the donation, but also informed the company that his office could not be of assistance in any capacity due to the connection of a fundraiser and legislative requests made by any employee of the company. Public records clearly show that Senator Ensign did not take any legislative action at the behest of this company. "No one is more anxious for this investigation to be completed and for the facts to come out than Senator Ensign. He is hopeful that politics will stay out of the investigation so that he can continue to focus on his job as Nevada’s Senator."
Full Story Here.
Why is ensign still in office? I guess the FBI investigation was for show. Only in Nevada can a politician such as him and a governor such as Gibbons stay in office.. Wake up Nevada!! You are bringing shame to the Nation I founded in 1776!
Can Senator Ensign get unemployment payments if he is voted out of office?
Based on these new revelations, I suspect no one will hire him for a legitimate job after he is "not re-elected", and that he will need extended unemployment benefits.
Wow, who would've thunk it? After all, Sen. Ensign is such a good Christian with a beautiful family and a rich mommy and daddy who would probably do just about ANYTHING for their pampered, privileged son.
Guess I'm just naive. I actually thought Doug Hampton was hired for those jobs because he was more qualified than the other 900 applicants.
when does patience become neglect. This Shakespearean play has certainly gone on long enough.
Nevada citizens should demand he either resign or be recalled. This man is a total distraction just when we need responsible leaders in the Senate.
Hit as hard as you like. You cannot remove the distaste of Reid, Pelosi, Massa, and Obama. The democrats have committed suicide by Russian roulette which is so appropriate.
nieman1 seems pretty single-minded. What the heck do actions by Ensign have to do with anyone else? Are you saying Ensign's behaviors are ok because others do various things, too? Are you saying that Ensign was forced to do this by Pelosi, Reid, Massa and Obama. Or, are you simply showing your single-minded view for all to see?
I don't get it?
Jeez. Does it seem that this Hampton opportunist pawned off his wife to hard stick Ensign in hopes of getting blackmail leverage on him for a high-pay, do-nothing job? It smells of it alright.
Amazing someone this stupid could be elected Senator. The stupidest thing he did was not resign before all this stuff came out. Like i said before he'll be doing his 6-9 months in a year or so, no doubt about it.
"Amazing someone this stupid could be elected Senator"
Didn't Bush get elected twice and he is / was a total moron!
Surely nobody would think that a man of high moral integrity such as Senator Ensign would knowingly violate the law. He probably believed it was OK to pay off his former aide, Mr. Hampton, with the $100,000 given to the Senator by his loyal parents, plus a cushy job which would be obtained for Mr. Hampton. (Even if "technically" this would be a violation of federal statutes.)
On the other hand, Senator Ensign did in fact admit to having an affair with his "good friend" and aide's wife, Cindy Hampton. So on second thought, maybe Senator Ensign ISN'T of such high moral integrity after all. Even if he thought it was OK to cheat on his wife, how could he rationalize the cuckholding of his supposed good friend and chief aide, Doug Hampton?
I suspect that more that several of Mr. Ensign's other "good friends" may now be wondering if their wives were also "charmed" by the Senator?
...and this should be it.
Are you reading, Senate Ethics Panel? Department of Justice?
Thank you, John. Now Nevada may lose ALL of its seniority in the Senate. HOPE SHE WAS WORTH IT TO YOU!
I really, really, really dislike republicRATs.
However Senator Ensign, before this came out answered my letters and phone calls with sincerity, promptness, and humor.
So, out of respect for him taking the personal time responding to me I am not going to trash him here.
I am just going to say:
Senator Ensign, it is time to come back home permanently. What you did was wrong and you need to atone for your mistake. God Bless you, your family, and everyone connected to your scandal.
This weekend will be fine.
Good timing, the story about ethics will peak around election time.
I would like to start, and ask you with high all your high morals and never have done anything wrong in your life. I bet if just one or two of you would not be able to last even one or two day running for a seat for congress or the senate. I am saying what he did Is not correct or moral to his and my faith but we are taught, too forgive for what ever he or she had may have done. And if you folks don't like that it is your right 2012 to vote him out of office. But at this time leave this man alone, I am sure he feels worse then all of us in Nevada. Thank you
isn't it funny...
that johnny boy i slept with my best friend's wife then ran to mommy and daddy to fix my boo boo ensign...
went to such great lengths to find a job for the husband of his mistress...
and yet...
he could absolutely care less about those unfortunate souls who have lost their jobs and are about to run out of unemployment benefits...
what a loser ensign is...
what losers the stupid pathetic ugly lying republicans are...
l-o-s-e-r-s!!!
Are the FBI and Senate Ethics Committee going to investigate the connection of Senator Harry Reid and his son Key Reid General Council for The Greenspun Corporation in starting energy projects in Nevada.
Today's announcement was made by private equity firm U.S. Renewable Energy Group (US-REG), Chinese company A-Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. and real estate development company American Nevada Company of Henderson.
American Nevada -- developer of Southern Nevada commercial projects and master-planned communities such as Green Valley, Green Valley Ranch and Aliante -- and the Las Vegas Sun are both part of The Greenspun Corporation.
In today's announcement, the partners credited Sen. Harry Reid for their decision to locate the plant in Nevada
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/mar...
Key Reid
Senior Vice President / General Counsel, The Greenspun Corporation
http://www.meadowsbank.com/aboutDirector...
If we are going to hold our Senators to ethical standards..the standard should apply to both of them...
On a side note, it's sad it takes the New York Times (more than 2200 miles) to uncover the details of this story.
Maybe if the local press would stop following the mayor and his martini drink for a second, they can actually do some real journalism.
Ensign lies and lies and lies and now he has to go.
neiman is an idiot and like all neo cons he changes the debate to Pelosi and others when his party is caught. Of course neiman can't vote he just learned how to ride his skateboard and his mommy now lets him walk to school unescorted.There is just something phoney about a guy maned neiman. If it is a guy.
PGelsman
Actually Bush was not stupid, he jut talked with that fake accent to get more votes. Ensign is stupid
I think this is all a conspiracy which has been staged by senator Harry Reid. Now I know Ensign admitted the affair but I believe that was a puppet which Reid had stand in at a press conference. This is just another one of Senator Reids stunts to make the republican sleeze bags look bad.
Sarah Palin 2012!!!!
Emvance:
"I would like to start, and ask you with high all your high morals and never have done anything wrong in your life."
Yup. I've got so many skeletons, I filled the closet, and had to start keepin' them under the baseboards! That's why I can't run for office.
But, if I were elected without them coming to light- I would stand before the people, apologize, repeatedly, and say: "I inhaled." "I lied." "I rode my 'wife's' best friend, like a show-pony."
Ensign has not only ignored the public's questions about all of this- he has basically put his fingers into his ears and said "Lalalala- I can't hear you!" It does take some skill to do that though, because he's also busy showing another finger to the voters of Nevada, at the same time.
Pierre:
"Does it seem that this Hampton opportunist pawned off his wife to hard stick Ensign in hopes of getting blackmail leverage on him for a high-pay, do-nothing job?"
The 'kids' have a name for this. It's Pimpin', and as Snoop-Dogg says- "Pimpin' ain't easy." ;D
Axiom:
The story DID get by the local press, but the reason for it is probably a combination of things- the lack of reporters, and too many stories of interest. It also got past ME- and I've been following this for months now. Because I like the way you think, I'll take the hit for this one. ;D
Mea culpa.
Personal note to John Ensign- The above didn't hurt AT ALL! I'm sure I'd find it didn't cost me anything either!(Good news, for those of us who are unemployed.)
You'll say your e-mail was a personal reference, for a friend. It's a lie, in this case, but I get it. We all have to have someone who will vouch for us.
I'd like my copies on the embossed Senate Letterhead...and signed by Harry Reid, please. If for no other reason, than Harry is trying to get jobs for ALL Nevadans. Not just three of us.
***The above posters have forgotten to add that the Hampton's kid was given an Internship, that paid $1,000/month, from March-August 2008.***
http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/node/205...
Please remember that John Ensign has not been convicted of any wrong doing...
How may other of our elected officials are under investigation?
Probably a lot more than we can mention here...
just the simple fact that gop members would give ensign the benefit of the doubt, proves their total didain for the people of this country. How stupid can you be?
John Ensign is a lowlife hypocrite which means he's the perfect GOP politician.
Without his rich parents and family name he'd be working at a veterinarian clinic performing enemas on constipated poodles.
Larry, that was a "tongue in cheek" comment, right?
I mean, yeah, there are a lot of slime balls running around Washington D.C.... but NONE OF THEM has the resume' of our Johnny Ensign!
HE WILL BE CONVICTED.
He WILL go down in history as a disgraced, convicted Senator from the great state of Nevada.
LarryVegas Thank you for taking the time to remind us of the rights Ensign has but right wingers do not want to extend to Democrats. Keep that in mind. With each passing day the layers are coming off of this stinking Ensign and there is nothing to say differently,just more repugnant odors.I wonder just how rabid the right wingers would have been if Reid had been accused of just one half of the things the hypocrite,liar and scumbag Ensign is ACCUSED of. Keep that in mind.
Good one LastThroes!!! I needed a chuckle today!
Larry:
No, he hasn't been convicted of anything. Yet. Adultery itself isn't ILLEGAL, per se. The other actions he's taken, do warrant a closer look.
This is about finding out if he was using his position as a lawmaker to bargain for, or unjustly influence, any business deals on behalf of the Hammond's- including a job offer.
I would not be 'all up in his Kool-Aid', if it were JUST about sex. I haven't said much about Vitter and his kinks- it's an anti-issue to me. I can let his voting record disgust me, instead.
This story does not seem to be getting as much attention as Massa, hopefully MSNBC will have Jon Ralston on to get the story out to the American people. Since an investigation is going to be held to see if Pelosi new about Massa, an investigation should look into whether the C Street cult kooks knew about Ensign's deeds.
Of course look at Tom Delay, Dick Morris and Ollie-by gosh-by-golly North, they are the darlings of Fox and talk radio - so there is life after ethics violations.
The verdict of the Kangaroo court is in and our Liberal friends has convicted John Ensign of the heinous crime of being a Republican.
So, lets string him up by the neck until he his dead. Oh, we must do this in public as a warning and a reminder what happens when you dare to be a Republican...
the bar has been lowered for ethical behavior in the senate.
actually its like a chart that goes down and to the right.
the further to the right it goes the more its ethics go down.
bush and the republicans...bad for america!
Gmag:
Finding out about the things that happen on "C" St. will be about as easy as revealing Masonic Rites.
Larry:
Since when do Republicans defend this sort of 'Threat to Family Values'??? The GOP is the ANTI-SEX party!
Rep's have the nerve:
to pay millions to Kenneth Starr to investigate a DEMOCRATIC affair, block Same-Sex marriages, to argue that there is merit in keeping don't ask don't tell, to deny any sort of useful information to be a part of the school's sex education programs, to let Larry Craig's behind flap in the wind because it might have dealt with homosexuality- yet they rally behind David Vitter, and John Ensign????
Either don't speak out against affairs, and the 'moral destruction of the American Family'...or stop having affairs. It's simple.
republicans...just the remnants that have retreated to the regional south.
with each scandal their ranks diminish.
but as long as they declare themselves christians they are always given redemption and acceptance in their last stronghold.
Vixen,
Whose is defending Ensign for having an affair? Not me... But, I don't think there is basis to remove him from office by him having an affair...
Now with that being said... The voters of Nevada have it in their power to vote Ensign out of office if they feel so desired.
I will leave it to the proper authorities to remove Ensign from office due to legal wrong doings, or to the voters of Nevada if they feel he has to go...
Who...
Lawrence Vegas, you are being goofy again.
NOBODY CARES, particularly, that Senator Ensign had an affair. You KNOW all of this! We CARE because he has potentially broken SEVERAL LAWS, laws of A FELONIOUS NATURE, and is rightly being investigated by the FBI and his Senate colleagues.
It would be obvious to anyone but a complete DOLT (or someone who's interest is served by protecting the Senator) that he;
A) Had an affair with his best friend's WIFE.
B) Had his Mommy & Daddy PAY OFF the offended "best friend" and his family to the tune of nearly a HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS, while sitting as a U.S. Senator.
C) Subsequently got his former "Best Friend" a cherry consulting gig in VIOLATION OF THE LAW.
Which of these facts is in dispute (to anyone with a brain) and why would anyone DEFEND this kind of behavior from a spoiled rich kid who preached "God & Family" to get himself elected, and then aligned himself with the LOONY TOONS over on C Street to solidify that standing?
(NOTE to the VIXEN: You are absolutely right about that!)
Please let me know if and when John Ensign get's convicted of some wrong doing.
Until then, I will withhold passing judgment on my fellow man...
Larry:
"I don't think there is basis to remove him from office by him having an affair..."
"Until then, I will withhold passing judgment on my fellow man"
I wish I could have heard your rantings, about how Bill Clinton couldn't keep it in his pants, so he wasn't fit to run the country...Because I'm sure they were EPIC.
Ah ha... Vixen,
I voted for Bill and I still like him today. I may poke a little fun at him once in a while, but he can handle poking a little fun.
When the Monica Lewinsky controversy hit, I told my co-workers that Bill should have owned up to it and said something like: "We are both adults and Hillary is the one who will pass judgment on me." "Besides, I think that it is pretty hot, that an old dude like me can nail a young thing like that."
By the way there Vixen, did you hear that Monica changed her party affiliation to Republican? She said that the Democrats left a bad taste in her mouth...
Umm---The majority of men stray---99.9999 percent of the men in public office cheat on their wives...Let's get over this. I am tired of hearing about cheating men---Kennedy did it! And the media covered it up for him. Now the media loves all the drama they can create i.e. a stain on a blue dress...Please!
Let's go after the thugs that on Wall Street and the Banks....I could careless about their private life. Their wives have to deal with that.
steve,
It ain't about the cheatin', son.
This is one outrageous statement:
"Any allegation or inference that Senator Ensign's motivation for doing his job as a Senator was anything but for the good of his state is completely false and misleading."
Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.
Ensign doesn't answer to Nevada voters. He answers to the C-Streeters who have God on their side.
All this talk of ethics and law is just a bunch of mumbo-jumbo to the Ensigns of the world.
Skerlahdee:
It's not mumbo-jumbo. They are all VERY well-versed in the 'talking points'...when it's ethics and law that someone ELSE may have failed to uphold.
I guess when Dems have people like D-Charles Rengel, D-John(Jack) Murtha, and D-Christopher Dodds, and let's not forget about D-Bill Clinton to look up to, people like Ensign should be a DEM's idol no? I mean, those are also "Christians" right? I guess lack of integrity and lack of moral values is only bad for people with a letter "R" next to their name does it. I got it.
Quit whining, quit pointing fingers, and VOTE to drain the damn swamp. They are all corrupt, they all deserve to be shown the door back to real life, and to real jobs like you and I have. And if you think Harry Reid is the best thing Vegas can offer....we deserve to be used and abused by our spineless leaders. Spineless populice=spineless leaders.
And for Harry Reid and his family:
Our prayers are with you. I hope your wife and daughter are ok. I can't stand Harry's politics but he is a fellow human being (I think) and this is a sad day for his family.
Incramentalism:
"I mean, those are also "Christians" right? I guess lack of integrity and lack of moral values is only bad for people with a letter "R" next to their name does it. I got it."
It's for all people who loudly proclaim that they want blood, when OTHER people are 'lacking'...then get hoisted by their own petard.
***It's nice to know someone's political views don't extend to the point where they wish someone (or their family) PERSONAL harm. VERY classy thing to say, Inc!