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Ensign Lover's Hubby Wanted Money -- But Through His Lawyer
Team Ensign is continuing to walk back its original claim that Doug Hampton, the husband of the senator's girlfriend, tried to extort Ensign.
As we've already noted, that was the line the Ensign camp put out in the early days of the scandal. For instance, FOXNews.com reported:
Two Senate Republican sources close to Sen. John Ensign of Nevada told FOX News that a former employee had asked Ensign for money in what both sources described as a case of "extortion."
But now, an Ensign spokesman tells the AP that within the last month Hampton made "exorbitant demands for cash and other financial benefits" through an attorney, and that the matter was referred to Ensign's lawyer.
In other words, Hampton threatened a lawsuit. Unless you've got an amazingly ham-handed lawyer, that's a far cry from extortion, which can be a felony. Had extortion occurred, Ensign's lawyer would presumably have had to contact law enforcement, and there's no evidence that happened.
The new lawsuit claim is consistent with the letter sent by Hampton to Fox News, in which Hampton wrote:
I have sought a number of lawyers who are having difficulty finding charges that may hold up in court. There are either technicalities that exist due to the time period in which I have sought help, or other nuances that quite frankly make no sense to me given the egregious acts and blatant abuse of power by Senator Ensign.
So it appears that when the lawsuit angle didn't work out, Hampton went to the media.
As for that whole extortion accusation, it looks like the Ensign camp is hoping everyone will just forget about it.
Josh
Zachary
A lawsuit is a far cry from extortion? Always? Hmmm...that's a naive statement, IMO.
June 19, 2009 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Statement from Rep. Michelle Bachmann, (R-Minn):
"We must think of the children. Lawyers everywhere are extorting money from lawmakers through the threat of lawsuits at every turn, calling into question the integrity of honest, patriotic, hardworking Americans like Sen. John Ensign, a naval officer, an ensign who has served this country with honor and dignity both on the high seas of Las Vegas and in the United States Senate.
"I know decent Americans, those that were born here, will have the good sense to see this as I do, an attack on God, the Flag, and everything we hold dear. Unless we tackle tort reform now, we won't be protecting our country, or leaving a better world for our children. Living in world where an esteemed Senator's press conference is reduced to a public confessional is simply wrong. Real Americans know this. Real Americans think of the children."
June 20, 2009 12:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just in time for Father's Day:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2004/dec/07/ensign-touts-importance-of-becoming-role-models/
June 19, 2009 9:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not sure how to write this without sounding like a nutjob, but...
I's quite likely the Ensign-Hampton confrontation over the wife described in Hampon's letter occurred in a mafia/cult like organization's house on Capitol Hill. In the presence of other Members of Congress.
Definitely worth a read here -
http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2009/06/19/did-the-ensign-confrontation-over-his-affair-take-place-at-a-family-gathering/
June 19, 2009 10:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Citoyen92-
Thank you so much for this referral. This is amazing, explosive stuff. This group Ensign lives with--the Foundation or Family--in as much as it is made of Congressmen with an extreme right-wing/religious agenda seems truly sinister and maybe kinky to boot (confessing your sexual sins to "your brothers"). I'm going to take a look at Jeff Sharlet's book "The Family" which just came out this year and I recommend that everyone check out Citoyen's site above.
June 20, 2009 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't have a comment on Ensign's marital infidelities, that's his families business, but I do on the title of the column. It gives me the impression that extortion if delivered by a lawyer is OK. just don't cheat a lawyer out of billing hours or it is 'illegal' extortion.
June 20, 2009 10:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Statement from Rep. Michelle Bachmann, (R-Minn):
"We must think of the children. Lawyers everywhere are extorting money from lawmakers through the threat of lawsuits at every turn, calling into question the integrity of honest, patriotic, hardworking Americans like Sen. John Ensign, a naval officer, an ensign who has served this country with honor and dignity both on the high seas of Las Vegas and in the United States Senate..."
Please, please tell me that this post is tongue-in-cheek. Please tell me she didn't really say that.
June 20, 2009 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, it's a joke. Sure sounds like classic BPO (Bachmann Psycho Overdrive) though, don't it?
June 20, 2009 9:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Probably since the wife was an employee of the Senator part of the time that the affair was going on, they are threatening a sexual harassment lawsuit, which would probably have a good chance for success.
It is neither unethical nor extortionary on the part of the Hampton's lawyer to try to settle before filing the suit. Naturally, the Ensign folks are spinning it as though it were some attempt at blackmail.
Everyone should realize that having sex with a subordinate co-worker is a merciless trap. Senator Ensign is now suffering the foreseeable consequences of his own stupidity. His poor judgment in getting himself into this is just as damning as the moral failure of cheating on his wife. tks rich
June 20, 2009 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
He does bring a whole new meaning to the term "Promise Keeper".
June 20, 2009 3:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Senator Ensign should resign. Ensign Resign!!!! You have destroyed the conservative beliefs. You got caught!!!! Resign Ensign!!!!!
June 20, 2009 5:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well ! As a long time Las Vegas and NV resident
... to any of those writers or bloggers who have
suggested John Ensign (R) is 'beloved' in NV,
I say: HORSE FEATHERS ! Mr. Jowls sleazed
into office a few years back (after having the
dog mess kicked out of him by Harry Reid in
a previous election contest). NO ONE with a
functioning brain in Las Vegas would
hold him in high regard, au contraire.
One blogger suggested his wording (about the
affair) was "lawyerly" ~ but folks, John is not
nor has he ever been a lawyer = he is a
VETERINARIAN (and a mediocre one at that).
John needs to go back to the animals; all he
has done since arriving in D.C. is GAIN
WEIGHT (looks like the boy has packed on
at least 30 pounds, likely more) and be a SHILL
for whatever the Repugs told him to {mostly,
their theory that "Justice" ~ means JUST US).
His just exposed HYPOCRISY stinks to high
Heaven, moreso than those barns he used to
make house calls to (amused chuckle).
Really John, blackmail? Methinks NOT; even
worse than 'infidelity' to the people of NV
would be:
Your extremely stong ties to the clownish Jim Gibbons (our much DESPISED current NV
Governor, who is being civilly SUED by former
WYNN Hotel cocktail waitress Chrissy Mazzeo =
for attempted rape and then a COVER UP ... in
a parking lot of a steakhouse they were seen
leaving together on 10/13/07 ~ PLUS his wife DAWN
is divorcing him, and more than willing to talk
publically about all Gibbons' dirty laundry,
over many years).
Seems like these boys with "R" after their name
have a lot in common, now doesn't it ??
Sign Me = Disgusted Doctor B. in L.V.
June 23, 2009 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink