DOJ Drops Ensign Investigation; Republican Still Faces Ethics Panel Probe

1 year ago

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Another big break for Sen. John Ensign, after federal prosecutors announced Wednesday the Nevada Republican would not face charges related to payments he made following his extramarital affair with a former campaign staffer.

"The Department of Justice has informed us that Senator Ensign is no longer a target of its investigation and that it has no plans to bring any charges against him on this matter," Ensign's lawyers said in statement first obtained by The Las Vegas Sun.

Ensign is still the subject of a probe by the Senate ethics committee over his affair with Cynthia Hampton, his former campaign treasurer.

"Our office and the Senator have been cooperative with this investigation, and it's important that the truth in this matter is finally coming to light. It is the Senator's hope that the Ethics Committee soon follows suit," Ensign spokeswoman.

Last month the Federal Election Commission dismissed a complaint against Ensign over a $96,000 payment his parents made to his former mistress and her family. The FEC disagreed with allegations that the money given to Cynthia Hampton amounted to an illegal political donation.

Ensign has admitted having an affair with Hampton. Her husband, Doug Hampton, was once a member of Ensign's congressional staff.

The ethics panel will look into whether Ensign broke congressional rules by helping Doug Hampton find lobbying work after he left the senator's office in April 2008.

Filed Under: Investigations, Congress

Tagged: Cindy Hampton, congress, daily, dailyguidance, department of justice, Ethics Committee, john ensign, nevada

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