Man, this is turning into a crazy day:
Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) Thursday acknowledged that his family made nearly $100,000 in payments to family members of his former mistress after her husband, a longtime aide and personal friend, discovered the relationship.
Since Ensign admitted his affair with former campaign staffer Cynthia Hampton, he has repeatedly denied making payments to her, her husband, Doug, or other members of the family.
But in a statement released by his attorney Thursday afternoon, Ensign for the first time acknowledged that in April 2008, his family – backed by his father’s casino and land development empire – made a series of payments to both Hamptons and their children, totaling $96,000.
“In April 2008, Senator John Ensign’s parents each made gifts to Doug Hampton, Cindy Hampton, and two of their children in the form of a check totaling $96,000. Each gift was limited to $12,000. The payments were made as gifts, accepted as gifts and complied with tax rules governing gifts. After the Senator told his parents about the affair, his parents decided to make the gifts out of concern for the well-being of long-time family friends during a difficult time. The gifts are consistent with a pattern of generosity by the Ensign family to the Hamptons and others,” Ensign’s lawyer Paul Coggins said in a statement.
Pattern of generosity! I think Ensign needs to resign. It’s not just the payoffs, but the fact that he lied about them and tried to hide them.
who else did they give $12,000 checks to?
What does the NV constitution call for? Would this mean we get to knock off a Gibbons appointment in 2010?
Or will there be a GOP senator to request/demand Ensign’s resignation?
Let’s say that Ensign resigns under pressure (just hypothetical), I think Harry Reid would almost be certain to be re-elected.
I love that this is the guy the Republicans decided to head the NRSC last year, it’s a laugh riot.
By the way, I just heard on Hardball (from Lawrence O’Donnell who’s filling in for Tweety) that Roland Burris is NOT seeking election to the senate.
for putting the topic of GOP sex scandals back into the news.
Just when Ensign thought his troubles were over!
Ensign gets points for sleaziness, but he still can’t top Sanford for sheer dramatic flair.