GOP Senator John Ensign to Resign Amid Ethics Investigation of Adulterous Affair
- Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:22pm by
Emily Esfahani Smith
- Print »
- Email »
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada Sen. John Ensign announced Thursday he will resign amid an ethics investigation, insisting he’s done nothing wrong but saying he could no longer subject his family and constituents to further investigation.
Ensign said in a statement that he will send Vice President Joe Biden a letter Friday making the resignation official.
“While I stand behind my firm belief that I have not violated any law, rule, or standard of conduct of the Senate, and I have fought to prove this publicly, I will not continue to subject my family, my constituents, or the Senate to any further rounds of investigation, depositions, drawn out proceedings, or especially public hearings,” he said. “For my family and me, this continued personal cost is simply too great.”
The Republican, who is under investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee, announced in March he would not pursue re-election.
The 52-year-old acknowledged in June 2009 that he had an extramarital affair with Cynthia Hampton, a former member of his campaign staff, and that he had helped her husband, Doug Hampton, a member of his congressional staff, obtain lobbying work with two Nevada companies.
Ensign’s admission that he cheated on his wife seemingly foreshadowed his political downfall. Amid the scandal, his parents provided the Hamptons with $96,000 described as a gift, and Ensign helped find Doug Hampton a lobbying job.
The Justice Department and the Federal Election Commission investigated, then dropped the cases with little explanation. The Senate ethics panel, however, named a special counsel to look into the matter.
Through it all, Ensign insisted he would seek re-election until his announcement in March, when he reiterated that he had not violated any laws or ethics rules. He also said the investigation did not influence his decision to retire from politics after 2012.
“If I was concerned about that I would have resigned, because that would make the most sense because then it goes away,” Ensign said at the time.
But in his resignation notice Thursday, Ensign said the appointment of the special counsel shook him because he had hoped the investigation would end with the justice department.
Democratic Congresswoman Shelley Berkley and GOP Congressman Dean Heller are seeking Ensign’s seat. A Democratic lawyer, Byron Georgiou, is also in the race.
Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval, who has already endorsed Heller, will appoint a successor. If Heller is named, a special election will be held for his seat.
Nevada Democrats quickly began their campaign to influence Sandoval’s decision.
“Nevada needs a Senator who is focused on creating jobs and protecting our middle class, not ending Medicare as we know it and giving more tax breaks to the rich, like Dean Heller is trying to do,” said Nevada Democratic Party spokesman Zach Hudson.
Nevada remains a top target for Democrats trying to protect their fragile majority in the Senate, said Guy Cecil, executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
“There will be a very clear choice for Nevadans between an uncompromising extremist like Dean Heller, who wants to end Medicare and cut loans for small businesses to give more tax breaks for the very rich, and Shelley Berkley, a true fighter for Nevada’s economy and middle class,” he said in a statement.
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 692 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 493 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 375 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 343 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 330 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 315 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 330 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 239 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 148 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 315 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (104)
KL
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 9:15pmAmazing how the republicans always step down when this happens, but the democrats can commit actual crimes and they stay in power. Why is that? I agree with AMERICAT on this one!~
Report Post »MOPatriot
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 9:13pmEveryone in the GOP should be mindful of the situation the nation is in. Everyone is important at this stage and they should be conducting themselves accordingly. They should know better than this period! Especially now.
Report Post »Steel Awesome
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 9:01pmThe senator would have had one heck of a time starting out as an officer in the Navy.
Report Post »NJONY
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:55pmPeople get in politics and power goes to their head. They think they can get away with anything especially after Bill Clinton’s example. I think Bill Clinton brought the whole countrys morals down a notch or two, If a president can cheat on his wife so can anyone else. Bill got away with it, so why not John?
I do want upright honest people to serve – where are they??????
Report Post »alienguns
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:52pmIf your own wife (who you are supposed to love) can’t trust you……why the he!! should we….
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:40pmI will never understand why Republicans think they need to resign
because they have committed…in their eyes…transgressions.
To all you other Republicans out there…No More Resigning!
NOT ALLOWED!
Heck, Democrats think this is just normal life,
along with not paying taxes!
So now…appoint SHARON ANGLE!
Report Post »Killa From Wasilla
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 9:04pmNope, never going to happend. It’s going to be Rep. Dean Heller.
No racist will be nominated in Nevada.
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 9:59pmis she racist or just sick of all the illegal aliens coming in and driving down wages and taking over whole industries, while americans can’t find a job?
Report Post »28_ID
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:34pmHey wait a minute – it’s not what a person does in their private life – it’s what they do in their public life, right lefties? If Ensign had a (D) behind his name, this would be a resume enhancer.
Report Post »wwwjr
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:33pmEnsign: You did nothing wrong. There are no senate rules against your conduct.
What has this nation come to represent? The government must even define morals for us?
Anyone. ANYONE so entrenched in government should be voted out of office on general principle.
Report Post »swigs
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:24pmSweet look’in babe…if you gotta go…that’s the way to go.
Booya!
Report Post »mrmikejohnson
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:24pmSounds like he’s in line for a job on CNN opposite client #9. Oh wait, CNN only hires liberals.
Report Post »Lucy Larue
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:23pmEnsign is a PIG! He should have resigned long ago.
Report Post »I feel sorry for his family. I hope his wife divorces him.
Politicians like Ensign ABET the destruction of this nation.
They go to D.C. for personal gain…,they say Country be damned!UGH!
frankee47
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:17pmthis was a nice guy. why would he let his penis rule his perfect life ?
Report Post »PITMASTER
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:11pmWell, that cost us a vote in the Senate. The hypocritical Progressives will come out in droves to fan the flames on this little dust up.
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 4:02pmThis is OLD NEWS! The affair was in 2007, the payoffs in 2008, Fox doesn‘t find the hubby’s story “credible” so doesn’t do it in 2009, but the rest of us find out in 2009 when Ensign found out the hubby was contacting press so he contacted the press. Two years ago since we who pay attention to OTHER media have known.
Report Post »freedomweiner
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:03pmThink he was outed for other reasons. You have to be a team player right or left.
See ya, sucks to be you, ya play, ya pay, etc.
Report Post »Whostolemypig
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:57pmViagra and politics don’t mix.
Report Post »NOTYERHUCKLEBERRY
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:56pmI have to say that the difference between liberal/democrat and conservative/republican is simply this: The conservative/republican has a conscience, the liberal/democrat simply says, “So what? We’re only human.”.
Report Post »mrlogan3
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 9:20pmThis isn’t an opportunity to polarize and further divide people, but to bring them together by realizing that both parties have their problems, but neither party is all bad.
Report Post »notreally
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:47pmFunny, isn’t it? Ted Kennedy allows a girl to drown; Charlie Rangel commits tax fraud that would put an ordinary citizen in jail; Bill Clinton gets a ******** in the Oval office — and what happens to them? Not a damned thing!
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:05pmThey’re not HOME yet/ Well, kennedy is, the kennedys are and I bet a dollar to a donut that if they could send back messages from hell…. Oops!
Report Post »PITMASTER
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:06pmYou forgot Congressman William Jefferson who had $90 grand in his freezer, Jesse Jackson wanted a ******** from a gay guy, John Edwards fathers a bastard child, Maxine Waters and her husband got their fair share of TARP funds and on and on. The Dems don’t give a rats butt when one of their robots goes haywire, but a Republican screws up and all of a sudden Progressives have morals? Since when?
Report Post »Exorcist
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 2:14amAnd no one dares to call an investigation on the usurper – who brags about himself in books but refuses to release documents of his past, not even a $38 birth certificate.
And no one cares to call an investigation on Pelosi – who deliberately omitted the wording of “Constitutionally qualified” in her sworn affidavit to 49 States except Hawaii in recommending Obama candidacy.
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 3:51pmBut the left doesn’t run the moral degenerates for the presidency, (ala Giuliani, Gingrich, Trump) AFTER their moral fallacies are known.
Report Post »kmichaels
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:47pmIt is an ADULTEROUS affair, not ADULTERESS affair.
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 9:43pmI spell rong now and then too
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 10:28pmEnough with the spelling police. Leve uz aloan
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:40pmThis first broke last year. I’m surprised it took him this long to decide what to do. There are progressives on both sides of the aisle as well as adulterers,crooks, and liars.
Report Post »Killa From Wasilla
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:34pmIs anyone shocked by this ????
Report Post »teacuplady22
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:34pmAdulteress? Maybe you mean adulterous? This website is rife with grammatical/spelling errors. So unfortunate.
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:37pmGet a life.
Report Post »Nobamazone
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:24pmPerhaps all you spelling and grammar police should pay less attention to the flaws of others and start paying attention to what it really going on around you. It does not matter if they are a D or R, if they are liars and cheats in one area of their life, they are a liar and a cheat, they have no business running our country, period!
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 9:35pmwut?
Report Post »carnifex
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 1:40amWhile I try not to call out others for same mistakes I make, she has a point. Words and spelling are important to fully convey or ideas to each other Hell I can’t spell worth a lick, and I am a pertty good speller. “ English is hard”-Talking Barbie
Report Post »smak
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 4:13amIt’s web site.
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:32pmTo bad Ensign let his personal indiscretion end his political career. Dean Heller would be a great replacement for John. (speaking as a Nevadan who HATES Harry)
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:35pmIts about time – he should have resigned earlier. http://wp.me/pYLB7-UB
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:42pm66, I agree 100%. On a similar note, when should Bill Clinton have resigned?
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:00pmDon’t get me wrong, he should have resigned before now. My regret is that he had a conservative voting record but didn’t exhibit conservative moral behavior.
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 9:48pmWhat a surprise that 1966 conveniently disappeared when exposed. Ignorant AND Cowardly, quite the combo.
Report Post »Kindwarrior
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:31pmHillary’s FBI files strike again
Report Post »Atlappraiser
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:31pmNow, if only the Democrats being investigated by the ethics committee would follow his lead and resign. Drain the swamp as Nancy Pelosi said years ago.
Report Post »DemocracyisTyranny
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:57pmJust appoint Sharon Angle to watch lefty heads explode.
Report Post »Killa From Wasilla
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 9:03pmSharon Angle ???
Not going to happen, nice try though. No one is ever going to nominate that racist idiot.
Report Post »It’s already done, it’s going to be Rep. Dean Heller
MODEL82A1
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:30pmNow this one, the Leftiesmwill be all over. Specifically how this proves something about All Conservatives.
Report Post »Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:35pmDon’t care what side they come from. If they’re slimy, get them out. Props for resigning at least.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:36pmOfcourse he should go .
Report Post »What does he think he is ?
The Lt Gov of CA ?
http://articles.sfgate.com/2007-01-31/news/17229155_1_newsom-alex-tourk-mayor-s-office
joe conservative
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:37pmAs it should be. I think this is one of the biggest differences between liberals and conservatives. I agree this guy is scum, liberals would stick up for him until the very end. Can you say Ted Kennedy?
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIMRNUGXxII
theonefromabove
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:40pmToo bad he is on the right.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »MEESHEL
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:42pmI admit to being an adulterous… but I did nothing wrong?? Doesn’t matter what side of the isle… FAIL!!
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:42pmNot unless they include Al Gore and John Edwards. Stupid is stupid, I don’t care which side of the aisle you are on.
Report Post »missionarydad
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:51pmDo you all always notice how conservatives always resign while the leftist Dems always fight tooth and nail, Charlie Rangel and Maxine Waters come quickly to mind.
http://www.saywhatyoureallymean.blogspot.com
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:18pmYou wouldn‘t find a ’democratic’ senator resigning for any kind of sexual deviancy found to be related to their political “power’ of office.
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:28pm“insisting he’s done nothing wrong but saying he could no longer subject his family and constituents to further investigation.”
Report Post »Sure it’s all about thinking of everyone but himself. What a bunch of crap..he’s a liar and a loser and good riddance. I don’t care what party affiliation a scumbag like this has, he is just a plain and simple crook who got his hand caught in the cookie jar or better yet couldn’t keep his zipper zipped.
Duddio
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:31pmThose of us in NV who did not have our heads in the sand in ‘09 knew that Ensign should have resigned when the scandal broke if he gave a crap about his family or his state. Then Congressman Heller could have had the seat for several years to run as an incumbent. About damn time!!! and good riddance!
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:44pmMaybe this is actually an Opportunity!!!
Hello Tea Party….APPOINT SHARON ANGLE!
Report Post »LOOKING_BOTH_WAYS
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 9:17pmIn the above photo is that a picture of John Ensign Wife ? If so he’s an Idiot. If not well he’s still an Idiot but i can see how he fell into Temptation
Report Post »CatB
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 9:26pmAt least the R’s RESIGN .. the Democrats make excuses and STAY AND STAY AND STAY!
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 9:35pmI could see it if they had to keep Janet Napolatano’s feet warm at night BUT not this babe
Report Post »veruca salt
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 9:36pmScumbags exist on both sides. The difference is the scumbags in the GOP have to spout their pious family values to win their seat, so the hypocrisy is that much worse when they’re busted.
Report Post »jzs
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 10:09pmJust like every Muslim is a 9/11 terrorist, every Republican and every Tea Party member is exactly like this guy. I read the news too. It’s not just Ensign, it’s every single Republican. It‘s family values Republican Larry Craig soliciting sex in a men’s bathroom, it’s Mark Sanford “hiking in the Appalachians” while with his mistriss in Argentina, it’s Newt Gingrich (Republican presidential candidate) having an affair while his wife lays dying of cancer.
It’s Donald Trump – the next President of the United States! – and his much publicized affair with Marla Maples and his three marriages and counting.
Using Blaze logic, I have to conclude that these high profile Republicans, two of which are running for President, represent every Republican in the country. You say you’re in favor of family values, yet you cheat on your wifes, even if they are dying of cancer. And you like a little quicky in the men’s bathroom. All of you, all Republicans.
And you want to run this this Christian nation on the basis of your moral decay, dalliance with same sex encounters in bathrooms, multiple marriages, and infidelity? Forget it, I’m not going to vote for the party of sin and lust.
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 10:35pmTime for my luinsky, so ill make this short. bye!
Report Post »jmmjr49er
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 11:53pmShelley Berkley is a real fighter; Big Liberal fighter. Rich lady who’s husband is a doctor. She is a Harry Reid hack, too.
Republicans resign while Democrats cry alligator tears and go to church of Jesse Jackson.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:09am@MEESHEL
Report Post »Posted on April 21, 2011 at 7:42pm
I admit to being an adulterous… but I did nothing wrong?? Doesn’t matter what side of the isle… FAIL!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I caught that, too. Well, at least he didn’t say he was “hiking the Appalachian Trail!” (SC governor’s excuse for when he went to Argentina.)
carnifex
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 1:35am“There ought to be one day–just one–where there is open season on senators”-Will Rogers
Report Post »bobodu
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 6:01amAnother one ??
Report Post »That’s like half of the Republicans. The only difference between the two sides is Democrats don‘t wave a Bible with the hand that isn’t holding a mistress.
Jackers
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:20amAs this man resigns in disgrace, how many others just haven’t been caught?
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 9:35amJZS
If only Bill Clinton would have shown a little morality and resigned….sigh..
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 9:44amJZS
If you don‘t want to vote for the party of moral decay then don’t vote Democrat. I read this in your post and just had to point out your idiotic hypocrisy “You say you’re in favor of family values, yet you cheat on your wifes, even if they are dying of cancer.” I thought you were talking about the Democrat that was running for President…John Edwards!
Report Post »jackrorabbit
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 11:09amDon’t let the door hitcha, where the Good Lord splitcha. One more useless politician gone.
Report Post »VerySeniorCitizen
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:16pmAnother FAMILY VALUES politician!
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 3:35pmDifference between political left and right, the political “right” consider candidates viable for the presidency even AFTER their moral fallacies are known~ (In fact, in Trump’s case, he’s the R FRONT-RUNNER at this point! :) Yes, Chris Lee, Ensign, Foley, et al. have left, but Craig, Sanford, Vitter and who-knows-who-else continue to be in office.
Report Post »