Politics: Senator Ensign May Have Broken Ethics, Laws

Senator John Ensign (R-Nev.) may have violated ethics laws, according to the New York Times. Senator Ensign has been mired in controversy since he admitted to an affair with a former staff member, Cynthia Hampton, in June. In July, Ensign also admitted that his parents gave a $96,000 “gift” to Hampton’s family, although he also stated that he had “done nothing legally wrong.”

Now, the New York Times is reporting that the Justice Department and the Senate Ethics Committee are expected to conduct and inquiry into Ensign’s efforts to cover up the affair. The inquiries will cover both federal laws and Senate Ethics rules.

If Ensign is investigated, the inquiries will likely focus on his dealings with Cynthia Hampton’s husband, Douglas Hampton. Mr. Hampton was also an employee of Ensign’s, his administrative assistant. Ensign has been accused of allowing Hampton to lobby his office immediately after Hampton left Ensign’s employ. This action would violate the senate’s one-year lobbying ban, and Ensign could face criminal charges if it is discovered that Ensign knew about or encouraged the lobbying ban.

Investigations into Ensign’s ethical conduct began in July, after allegations that Ensign’s parents’ $96,000 gift the Hampton family was borrowed from Senator Ensign’s campaign money. The Senate Ethics Committee’s inquiry will focus on whether that money was improperly spent, while Justice Department will focus on the lobbying ban, which could yield criminal charges.