CREW seeks answers from Senator Ensign

Whether the Department of Justice’s public integrity section investigates U.S. Sen. John Ensign’s smarmy payments to his former mistress’ family, or whether the Washington field office of the FBI does the gumshoe work, it’s clear the matter must be investigated.

A complaint filed by the Washington, D.C.-based group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) with the Justice Department was rebuffed; lawyers suggested CREW contact the FBI. That, in itself, isn’t totally unusual, inasmuch as the FBI is the investigative arm for Main Justice, the way Metro Police does the investigative work for the Clark County district attorney’s office. It may have been more encouraging had the Justice Department accepted the complaint, and then asked the FBI to investigate, rather than asking CREW to run its paperwork across town. But either way, someone with subpoena power must investigate.

Why? First, Ensign refuses to answer questions. He apparently believes the way to weather the storm is by hunkering down and saying nothing. Thus, his testimony must be compelled.

Moreover, there’s plenty to investigate: While Ensign’s lawyers call the $96,000 paid to former mistress Cindy Hampton and her family by Ensign’s parents “gifts,” Cindy’s husband Doug Hampton has repeatedly called the money a severance, paid after both Hamptons were summarily dismissed from Ensign’s employ during the affair. Doug Hampton didn’t acknowledge the money as a gift on the final federal disclosure statement he filed with the government, and if he paid taxes on the money, it would be a powerful indication that his contemporaneous understanding was that the money was employment-related.

If the money was a severance payment, Ensign could face serious charges of failing to report disbursements, and his parents could face charges for making unreported contributions over legal limits. Those questions need answers, and Ensign isn’t talking. Which means somebody needs to make him talk. FBI, this ball is in your court. [CREW]

Related posts:

1. CREW Files Ethics Complaint Against Sen. John Ensign
2. Jon Ralston’s Questions of Senator Ensign
3. Ensign’s “Dear John” letter to Cynthia Hampton
4. CREW names Nevada Senator John Ensign as one of “The 15 Most Corrupt Members” of Congress
5. Ensign: Sex, Money, Power, Bribery, Extortion Cover-up