Complaints Filed Against Ensign

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Complaints Filed Against Ensign
By Bart Jansen, CQ Staff


A public watchdog group has filed formal complaints with the Senate Ethics Committee and the Federal Elections Commission calling for investigations of Sen. John Ensign .

The complaints from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington raise questions about the dismissal of his campaign treasurer, whom Ensign has admitted having an affair with, and alleged severance payments made to her and her husband, who was also on the Senate staff of the Nevada Republican.

Ensign’s office did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

The ethics complaint cites a number of reports about the nine-month affair between Ensign and Cynthia Hampton during the 2008 elections and alleges that Ensign’s handling of the matter may have violated Senate rules and federal campaign law.

The group also cited a letter that Cynthia Hampton’s husband, Douglas Hampton, released to the media that alleges he and his wife were fired by Ensign.

The complaint also notes published reports that Ensign made a severance payment to Cynthia Hampton, which the group says was not listed in the senator’s campaign finance reports.

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