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Doug Hampton is a former senior aide to Sen. John Ensign and is married to the woman with whom the senator admitted to having an affair.
Published Thursday, March 24, 2011 | 2:31 p.m.
Updated Thursday, March 24, 2011 | 5:46 p.m.
Sun Coverage
John Ensign
Sen. John Ensign's former administrative assistant, whose wife had an affair with the senator, was indicted Thursday for allegedly lobbying Ensign and his staff in violation of federal conflict of interest laws.
Douglas Hampton is charged in connection with lobbying he did on behalf of a Las Vegas airline company and an energy company.
Federal law prohibits a senior Senate aide from lobbying the Senate for one year after terminating employment.
The affair with Hampton's wife has sidetracked the Republican senator's political career. Ensign announced this month that he would not seek a third term.
Ensign has said the affair with Cynthia Hampton began during a rocky time in his marriage in December 2007 and continued until August 2008. Cynthia and Doug Hampton left their jobs with Ensign in May 2008.
When Doug Hampton found out about the affair between his wife and the senator, Ensign helped line up jobs for Hampton with campaign donors.
According to the indictment, Hampton lobbied on behalf of Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air and for NV Energy.
Hampton's lawyer, Dan Albregts, declined to comment about the latest development in the long-running probe surrounding Ensign and the Hamptons.
A call to Ensign's office was not immediately returned.
The indictment marks the second reversal of fortune for those involved in the Justice Department inquiry, which followed revelations of Ensign's affair with Hampton's wife.
Ensign himself came under investigation on whether he conspired with Hampton to violate the lobbying restriction.
Sen. John Ensign with his wife, Darlene, and Cynthia and Doug Hampton.
Last December, the Justice Department disclosed to the senator that it no longer viewed him as a target in the probe.
On behalf of Allegiant Air, the indictment says, Hampton sought the assistance of Ensign and a legislative aide to Ensign to convince the U.S. Transportation Department to reconsider its position on a fuel surcharge pricing issue. Hampton allegedly sought the assistance of Ensign and his staff to help schedule a March 2009 meeting involving the secretary of transportation and executives from the airline company.
On behalf of NV Energy, the indictment stated, Hampton sought the assistance of Ensign and his chief of staff to expedite the release of a U.S. Interior Department environmental impact statement regarding a company coal-fired power plant.
The lobbying effort was designed to allow the energy company to move forward on its delayed proposal to build the plant.
If convicted, Hampton, 48, would face up to five years in prison on each of the seven counts of violating federal conflict of interest laws. Hampton also would face a maximum fine of $250,000 per count. Hampton faces a court appearance in federal court in Washington next Thursday.
The lobbying restrictions are contained in the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act. The law is aimed at slowing the revolving door between congressional employment and lobbying activities following the departure of aides from government.
This is getting juicy.
Ensign needs to be indicted too. He is just as guilty of violating the same laws since he knew the rules. Also is rich step father tried to bride the Hamptons and then lied about it.
Unbeeleevable!!!
So, no endictment for John Ensign, who GOT Hampton the JOB to be in a position to LOBBY his staff & the senate BEFORE the one year moratorium...
BUT... the dude who's WIFE Ensign shtooped, (who ALSO worked for the Senator), AND who took nearly a HUNDRED GRAND of Johnny's mommy & daddy's MOOLA, is being indicted?
This is EXACTLY like a T.V. Soap Opera!
Sometimes, truth is STRANGER THAN FICTION, because fiction has to be BELIEVABLE...
No wonder Ensign dropped his reelection bid as he did. He probably saw this coming. Hampton's lawyers are going to drag old Ensign through the mud with this for however long this thing runs.
Ensign should do Nevada a favor and resign now.
@ Turrialba...
"Ensign should do Nevada a favor and resign now."
Good call!
@gmag
Unfortunately, Ensign is all about Ensign and no one and nothing else. His family and the State are going to suffer needlessly due to his selfishness.
Ensign should do his family and Nevada a favor and resign now.
T.
We can't wait until Mr. Hampton's lawyers get Sen. Ensign on the stand to question him about his role in getting Mr. Hampton these positions.
I see a flurry of Fifth Amendment declarations from Mr. Ensign.
Remind me again why Ensign wasn't indicted.
We're not in Kansas anymore! When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Could not happen to a nicer puke!!!!
So he could have lobbied the House members or members of the Administration or State legislators, but no, he had lobby a Senator (and his staff), and his old boss who had an alleged "secret" affair with his wife to boot. You know he knew better. What a dope!
So exactly when was he the injured party in this mess?
As we've all seen -- liberal and conservative -- a one year delay before lobbying isn't nearly enough to prevent the entrenched political corruption that's in Washington. It doesn't matter if it's coming from business groups that want to dump deadly poisons into our water supply (there really is such a group) or if it's coming from Friends of the Woodchuck (there's probably such a group): the cash is all green, and it's all corrupting.
Now, if there were a ten year ban on lobbying after leaving public service, that might be more effective.
And while I'm ranting: public financing of campaigns ONLY, because it'll save the taxpayer money in the long run. Politicians would have to knock on doors and give speeches and then actually deliver on promises they'd made, and no one would be able to buy an election. 99% of political corruption would be dead the next day, as would negative campaign ads -- there's be no motive to raise money for reelection and money would be too tight for the ads. Lobbyists would be genuinely representing the interests of concerned groups of Americans and not giving cash by the handful to desperate (and quickly corrupted) politicians.
I can dream can't I?
This guy was dumb.
But I can understand. Jealousy is a very hard emotion overcome. Being betrayed by loves ones is very hard to overcome.
So he did stupid stuff that hurt his kids.
So he did stupid stuff that put himself out there to be indicted by blabbing about his criminal activity in his effort to destroy the Senator.
He should have done a Hillary and kept his mouth shut and he would like Hillary would have been rewarded.
But I could not do a Hillary.
Neither could this dude.
I would have punched out the lights of the Senator.
But I would have hopefully restrained myself for the benefit of the children.
He did not have the self-control to do that.
It is sad.
Looks like the noose is tightening around Senator Ensign's neck.
Pretty soon all he will be able to do is pull a chair over, adjust the noose so it's more comfortable, stand up straight rather precariously on the chair, and wait for the inevitable to happen.
I can see it now. The Ensign is at half mast right now. (Sorry, I'm retired Navy and couldn't resist that analogy...) As falls Mr. Hampton, so too will fall Senator Ensign.
He is most deserving.
Can't we blame this entire mess on Wisconsin teachers? Or Obamacare? Or the man-in-the-moon?
This is the justice system at its best, and the reason no one should ever trust it.
Disgraced Senator is publically exposed by this guy (who the senator hired into a high administrative position), then has his parents drop nearly a hundred grand as hush money because the Senator can't keep his pants zipped up.
Senator sets up the guy as a lobbyist to try to make it all go away, lets the guy lobby the senator's own staff, then gets the guy criminally indicted for something the Senator set up.
American justice system at it's best.
Who is lower scum?
a) Ensign
b) Mr. Clinton
c) Ted Kennedy
My vote is Ted Kennedy. At least Ensign or Bill did not get involved in the death of another person and then run away and then try to cover it up then got daddy to make sure he would not get charge.
Oh...I forgot...two of the scum are heros in the Democratic party.
You forgot David Vitter and of course Larry Craig both republicans and devout CHRISTIANS. What about Bristol Palin?
ahh republicans are full of frauds. Just Like John Ensign!
Could it be, Hamp will get a nice Plea Deal, and ROLL OVER on our "Family Values" Hero???
Who wants to take the bets on this one.
Mr. Ensign has stated he is not running for reelection. He will leave office, nothing more will be heard from him and he will live the rest of his life just fine.
Mr. Ensign will never be charged with anything.
Just the way it works once you have got to his level.
John Ensign has the NERVE to speak up about hail Jesus principals. Both he and his stupid wife need to get out of Nevada. What woman in her right mind would continue to stay with a man than continually humilates her in public. OH, I forgot, his GOD and wife forgave him. LOL LOL LOL His parents must provide her with alot of money to keep her mouth shut. She is the perfect example of putting up with abuse!! Must be proud of yourself. Hope you don't have any daughters.
"John Ensign is clearly a co-conspirator in the commission of bribery".
I think you are a co-conspirator in having a lack of knowledge on what Federal crime of bribery is.
Sandogibbons: Time get the appointment speech ready.
Swing your partners partner and screw the husband too. . . whew, don't it just stink to high heaven? How on God's green earth have John Ensign's wormy deeds come to this? If John Ensign is allowed to finish out his Senate term. . . then people must ask themselves how and what part has our dear Harry Reid played in this show?
Nevadans must demand the time has come for Mr John Ensign to resign. What Nevadan can look into the mirror and honestly believe our soon to be Senator Ensign deserves federal office life-time retirement benefits for un-honorable mischief, shat-turd trust and overwhelming shame brought upon ALL Nevada constituents? Apparently, John Ensign never took the time to learn the golden rules or that a wise monkey is a monkey that does not monkey with another monkey's monkey!
And for the record Senator Ensign CONTINUES to fail honoring his pledge made to Paul, Ana Rupp in Silver Peak, Nevada to help with a timely formal complaint on record with Senator Ensign's office, MSHA, Nevada Mine Safety Training Section and Round Mountain Gold Corp.
Unfortunately Senator John "Shaftie" Ensign has no problems shafting his co-workers or constituents and failing to honor pledges made? PRupp B125 SP NV 89047
our soon to be ex Senator Ensign. . .
hey paul...
isn't snot nosed spoiled rich punk screwed his best friend's wife then ran to mommy and daddy to fix his boo boo john ensign...
that fraud...
isn't johnny the "shafter"???
and dougie the "shaftie"???
What will happen is this case is, Doug Hampton will turn in evidence against Ensign. The key here is that Federal prosecuters what outside confirmation to indict Ensign to ensure a conviction in court. Hampton will strike a deal, still being convicted of something, but no jail time. Ensign will get jail time, this is the end game. The Feds are squeezing Hampton to get Ensign. Easy play.
"I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!" Claude Raines, Casablanca
Or as Gomer Pyle would put it, "Surprise, surprise!"
I can just imagine the dialogue when John Ensign gets to the Pearly Gates.
The bright side? Unlike Newt Gingrich, Ensign has not claimed that his infidelity was due to his love of country.
John Vitter of La. (prostitute) Gov. Mark Sanford (Argentinian soulmate), Larry Craig (Mr. Wide Stance), John Ensign, Newt Gingrich (3 wives), Rush Limbaugh (four wives) -- the GOP's gift to late-night comedy.
I see that happening too, Longtimevegan.
No matter which way it goes, the point that is readily apparent is that Senator Ensign is toxic. Anyone, I mean ANYONE, that is close to Senator Ensign will be affected adversely.
How the mighty fall on their own swords.
".the GOP's gift to late-night comedy."
Brilliant!
"What will happen is this case is, Doug Hampton will turn in evidence against Ensign. The key here is that Federal prosecuters what outside confirmation to indict Ensign to ensure a conviction in court. Hampton will strike a deal, still being convicted of something, but no jail time. Ensign will get jail time, this is the end game. The Feds are squeezing Hampton to get Ensign. Easy play."
You are pretty clueless and I am guessinly have only this story and even did not clearly read this story.
Hampton has been on a war campaign against Ensigh who had affair with the Hampton's wife.
Hampton has been talking to anybody including newspapers about all the evidence that he has about criminal activity. He does not need any encouragement to be a witness against Ensign.
The FBI used all that information to investigate Ensign and the Justice department read the FBI report and decided there was no crime committed by Ensign.
Sadly, all this criminal activity information that Hampton has been telling the FBI and the newspapers is being used against him to indict him for crimes.
I doubt that if convicted that he will serve time in jail. He will have a criminal record, be on probation for a couple of years and pay fines and probation fees.
Hampton is dumb but the emotion of betrayed by love ones is hard to control.
He did not do a Hillary which is the smart thing to do both for the person and the children.
The FTC and SEC should investigate Allegiant Air to see if the interests of the consumers and stockholders are protected.
Hopefully Hampton will provide evidence against Ensign and his airline and power company buddies so they can all be jailed.
It looks like he and his wife both got..........
Whatever happens regarding this incredible situation, there is one fact apparent.
The Democrats are taking this one.
This Senate seat, when it becomes available in 2012, belongs to the Democratic Party.
Why?
Because the excesses of Senator Ensign defy believe and are beyond any reasonable person to comprehend or even withstand.
It's over with.
This Senate post belongs to the Democratic Party.
There's only so much we can put up with.
Senator Ensign, someone who was considered to be eventually groomed not only for Republican Party fund raising on a national level, but also supposedly hand picked to become the definitive Republican Party candidate future candidate for President, is pretty much a bust, complete morally bankrupt and definitely a proven degenerate.
I actually am amazed that he is not being prosecuted for...something. Being stupid or something criminal. Take your pick.
Whatever comes from it, it's a win for the Democratic Party.
Because the Republicans blew it. Completely.
@WoodySez: You forgot the NY Congressman who was trolling for bimbos on Craigslist. But at least that guy had the good sense to resign.
The bunch that claims they cheat because they love their country, and that god forgives them, and they they just happen to use a wide-stance in public restrooms, well, hang in there guys, the dems love you more than you know.