Group wants Ensign's affair investigated - CREW questions source, amount of severance paym

[jefferson_dem]

Group wants Ensign's affair investigated
Watchdog group questions source, amount of severance payments to aide
The Associated Press

updated 9:05 a.m. ET, Tues., June 23, 2009

WASHINGTON - A watchdog group says it will file a complaint with the Senate Ethics Committee asking lawmakers to investigate the circumstances surrounding an affair that Sen. John Ensign had with a campaign aide.

Ensign, R-Nev., acknowledged last week that he was involved in a sexual relationship from December 2007 through August 2008. The aide was identified by her attorney as Cindy Hampton, who had worked for two Ensign political groups.

After spending the last six days in Nevada, Ensign returned to Washington on Monday. He entered his Senate office in mid-afternoon, declining to take questions from reporters.

Officials at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington said they would ask lawmakers to investigate the source and amount of any severance payments to Hampton. They also said they would ask the committee to investigate whether her departure was voluntary from positions with his Battle Born Political Action Committee and Ensign for Senate.

Melanie Sloan, the executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, cited a letter from Cynthia Hampton's husband, Doug, as one reason the case needed investigation. Doug Hampton, a former top aide in Ensign's Senate office, said the senator's conduct "led to our dismissal in April of 2008."

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31502490/ns/us_news-msnbc_wire_services/

[napi21]

1. There's more than just severance pay questions!

Shortly after the affair began, Ms. Hampton's pay was doubled. Her husband was offered a job by a co. that is a major political comtributor to Ensign. Their son was also given a job. Rachel detailed those questions and others on her show last week, and she's not the only one asking!

[dgibby]

2. I think following the money could well be what it takes to elicit a resignation

from this sleeze bag. Maybe he'll even end up as an unwilling guest of Uncle Sam (and I'm not talking 5 star resort).