Doug Hampton: Ensign Knowingly Broke Ethics Rules on Lobbying
EmailABC News’ Rick Klein reports: Doug Hampton’s interview with ABC’s Cynthia McFadden seems likely to spark a new round of questions regarding Sen. John Ensign’s efforts to set his former mistress’ husband up in business. In one part of the interview, set to air Monday on “Nightline,” Hampton tells McFadden that Ensign, R-Nev., helped Hampton launch a short-lived lobbying career. Hampton says Ensign went so far as to help solicit clients for him, and set up a meeting with an administration official — despite the one-year “revolving door” ban on former top Senate aides lobbying the Senate. McFadden asks Hampton whether Ensign “was aware that he was helping and assisting you in breaking ethics rules.” Responds Hampton: “John Ensign was perfectly aware that it was going down exactly how he wanted it to go.” McFadden: “So there is no doubt in your mind that John Ensign understood that ethics laws were being broken.” Hampton: “There is no doubt.” McFadden: “This is a serious allegation you are making against a sitting United States senator, that he knowingly assisted you…” Hampton: “Why would a client hire Doug Hampton if he didn't think he would have access to John Ensign's office? It's the only reason I would hire him!” McFadden: “You understand that what you're saying could make you criminally liable?” Hampton: “It's the truth. And it's under duress. And it's under the power and abuse and orchestration of a senator who controlled our lives.” Ensign has denied wrongdoing. In a statement released to The New York Times last month, he said: “I am confident we fully complied with the relevant laws and rules governing current and past employees. I have worked on these Nevada issues with these Nevada companies for years, long before Doug Hampton left my office.”
Sen. DeMint: GOP Race Could Go Until Convention 
Obama Avoids Questions on Contraception Rule
He may want to use Charlie Rangels lawyers. They must be good. The House Etics committee is scared to death of them.
Posted by: jamescbuilder | November 20, 2009, 7:33 am 7:33 am
For many decades now, we’ve needed a major attitude adjustment and change with elected officials. They blantantly ignore and laugh off the concept that they were Hired to work for THE PEOPLE! But instead, they focus on their own political power and using their office to benefit themselves instead of the average citizen. Plus, morality, ethics, honesty, hard work, etc. that the average citizen considers as “positives” in their lives and work are considered “negatives” by elected officials in their own lives and work. Sad state of affairs.
Posted by: Terrence O'Day | November 20, 2009, 7:55 am 7:55 am
This is old news,and is not nearly as griveous as tax cheat Charles Rangel,or Chris Dodd getting cheaper loans at the Tax payers expense,then giving AIG Bonuses from tax payers money. Where is the outrage over the real criminals?.. Obamas Tax Cheats 5 appointees who are tax cheats,what is up with the Democrats and taxes.
Posted by: strikerF | November 20, 2009, 8:26 am 8:26 am
Great post Terrence O’Day.
Posted by: Trent | November 20, 2009, 8:30 am 8:30 am
Now remember this is “lobbying” money to tie up your free speech about me having sexual relations with your wife.
Hope he’s on the ballot in 2010. Looks like a seat might be up for grabs. We get 6 more republican senate seats and we go single payer health care!
Posted by: rightbehind | November 20, 2009, 8:42 am 8:42 am
The real ethics question is did Reid break ethics by adding $100 million to Obamacare bill in attempt to swing Landrieu’s vote?
Isn’t it an ethics violation to use public mone to buy a vote against us? Pelosicare only passed the democratic house by 5 votes proving this nation is divided on the issue, so Reid is stacking the deck in the senate with our money.
Your phone call may make the difference!
Posted by: Ed Taylor | November 20, 2009, 10:08 am 10:08 am
The real ethics question is did Reid break ethics by adding $100 million to Obamacare bill in attempt to swing Landrieu’s vote?
Ed Taylor | Nov 20, 2009 10:08:50 AM
Are you serious? Next you’ll be demanding an investigation of the Founding Fathers to see if they bribed the South to accept the Constitution by including the obviously targeted 3/5ths clause.
Posted by: jhw539 | November 20, 2009, 10:20 am 10:20 am
“wait, wait, look over here…to the left” Why can’t they just clean up their own side of the street? I know it would help me to regain a little respect for them if they did.
Posted by: NancyR1 | November 20, 2009, 11:01 am 11:01 am
Jessie Jackson used his tax exemt Rainbow Push funds to pay off his mistress and baby and the IRS never batted an eye. Senator John Edwards used 2008 campaign funds which are tax exempt to pay off his mistress and his baby and the IRS never batted an eye. John Kerry used 2004 campaign funds which are tax exempt to send his mistress to Africa and pay off her father and the IRS never batted an eye. The reason the media is ignoring stories on Jackson, Edwards and Kerry is because they are Democrats. There are different standards for different political parties, because the Democrat Party doesn’t have standards to break.
Posted by: Peter King | November 20, 2009, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm
I see the left claiming this is worse than what the Democrats did. I see the right claiming this isn’t as bad as what the Democrats did.
Folks, every single elected official that violates any laws or regulations by which they are to conduct themselves are wrong…I don’t care what party they belong to.
I say it’s time we American citizens stop making excuses for the party we belong to and insist they ALL start behaving themselves.
Posted by: malcat | November 20, 2009, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm
Can we please get rid of all of these fools who are ethically challenged.
Can someone in government also please investigate ACORN who seems to be so directly involved in unethical and perhaps criminal involvement in our elections.
Posted by: wow | November 20, 2009, 1:15 pm 1:15 pm
Senator Ensign, another of the “C” Street would-be Christian fundamentalists,acting like a good “Christian” politician usually does.
Posted by: Herb Gray | November 20, 2009, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm
“Can we please get rid of all of these fools who are ethically challenged.
Can someone in government also please investigate ACORN who seems to be so directly involved in unethical and perhaps criminal involvement in our elections.”
—
I agree completely, but let’s not stop with ACORN. Every organization that participates in the electoral process needs to be investigated, regardless of party affiliation OR claim of immpartiality.
Posted by: malcat | November 20, 2009, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
citizens who support either party are part of Americas problem. Neither party represents the people,never have and never will.You might say we have they very best government that the LOBBY DOLLAR can buy.The actions of BOTH parties over the last 25 years has been criminal, instead of representing the people and looking out for Americas BEST interest, they have become legislative prostitutes for personal and party profit.As long as the two corrupt parties are allowed to remain in politics, “We the People” will never have a chance. In future elections people should send BOTH parties a very clear message,,,,you have BOTH failed miserably, lied to the people and misused your power and our tax dollars, contrary to popular belief, many other people including Independents could do a much better job.Down with BOTH the Democrats AND the Republicans.
Posted by: tincup56 | November 20, 2009, 2:07 pm 2:07 pm
I will never, under any circumstances, vote for a republican again.
Posted by: cjr | November 20, 2009, 3:46 pm 3:46 pm
So what do Senator John Ensign, ex-congressman Chip Pickering, and South Carolina governor Mark Sanford have in common? All are involved with the “Christian” cult on Washington’s C Street called “The Family”.
In public, they host prayer breakfasts; in private they support philandering members to build power. The “C” Street boys preach the gospel of “biblical capitalism,” military might, and American empire.
According to columnist Gail Collins, one of Ensign’s roommates at this “Christian” community house was Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma who encouraged cash contributions as a way to hush up Ensign’s mistress and her husband. Now Senator Coburn won’t admit to this, saying that he advised John Ensign as a “physician and as an ordained deacon” and has right to keep quiet even if he’s asked by a court or a Senate hearing.
Coburn is an obstetrician who has advocated the death penalty for any of his peers who carry out abortions. These “C” Street members have made a mockery of Christian teachings. Vote them gone.
Posted by: CenterOne | November 20, 2009, 4:48 pm 4:48 pm
cjr: why not? if your reasons are based on this story then you would have to say the same about dems. or did you forget about senator edwards who was having an affair while wife was dying of cancer. He makes ensign look like an angel. So if it is different political views just say it because if you are saying its moral issues then the dems lead the way for being the party that lacks morals.
Posted by: sandy | November 20, 2009, 10:46 pm 10:46 pm