« previous | MUCK HOME | next »

EXCLUSIVE: Son And Husband Of Ensign's Girlfriend Work For Company Run By Ensign Backer
Both the husband and son of the woman with whom John Ensign had an affair are now employed by a Las Vegas company whose CEO is a major Ensign supporter.
Brandon Hampton, the 19-year-old son of Doug and Cynthia Hampton, works as a representative in the call center for Allegiant Air, an Allegiant spokeswoman told TPMmuckraker.
And Doug Hampton became a vice president of government affairs for Allegiant in August 2008, according to the spokeswoman, Tyri Squyres. She added: "He was hired based on his experience and credentials."
In May 2008, Doug Hampton left his job as Ensign's administrative assistant. The Las Vegas Review-Journal had previously reported that Doug Hampton had worked as a consultant for Allegiant since leaving Ensign's office.
Politico reported yesterday that Brandon Hampton had been employed by the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 2008 -- when Ensign was NRSC chairman -- to do "research policy consulting," and earned a total $5,400, through August of that year.
As we reported yesterday, Allegiant's CEO, Maurice Gallagher, contributed over $46,000 to the Ensign-affiliated Senate Majority Committee between 2005 and 2007, as well as smaller amounts to Ensign's Senate campaign and the Battle Born PAC. And Gallagher's wife Marcia gave another $20,000 to the Senate Majority Committee during the same period, as well as $6,200 to the Ensign campaign. Ensign touted Allegiant in an interview earlier this year.
Late Update: Allegiant is declining to say whether Brandon Hampton was hired through the regular hiring process. Asked by TPMmuckraker when Brandon was hired, under what circumstances, and whether he applied through the standard process, Squyres did not directly answer. She replied, via email:
Call center representatives are an entry level position that require no experience. It is also a position we hire for quite regularly.

















You know, an affair is not that uncommon, although not the best way to preserve a marriage. And the Ensigns both claim they have worked through this and have a marriage stronger than ever. The PROBLEM is, the senator, like many of the GOP, has been so "holier than thou" (re: Craig and Clinton) that the hypocrisy has become an albatross to him. Also, his excuse that he had been asked for a large sum of money, hinting at extortion, rings hollow. I understand the Hamptons have a very large mortgage on a Las Vegas mansion, which may have created cash flow problems. I also understand the word was out about the affair and was about to hit the MSM, prompting the acknowledgment by the senator. And as to the Hamptons' being no longer in the senator's employ, I suspect that may have been part of the deal coming out of the counseling sessions of the Senator and Frau Ensign. We'll see.
June 18, 2009 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nice sensible response. ... and, of course, Christians...especially ones who devoutly pray each week to be Marially FAITHFUL..while they are having affairs is just sick.
June 18, 2009 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Allegiant is an interesting airline, serving southern vacation destinations nonstop from small, underused northern airports (Grand Rapids, Bangor, Hagerstown MD, etc).
It seems to have some experienced budget airline managers running the place, and apparently received a cash infusion from the wildly successful low budget Ryanair group in Ireland.
Allegiant apparently does US Government charters. They apparently also have been cleared to provide service from Miami to Cuba (you know, those special unmarked plane flights that the government administers).
June 18, 2009 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
According to this article, Allegiant Airlines has had record profit and revenue growth, while other airlines are posting huge losses.
http://www.aviationtoday.com/regions/usa/Someone-Makes-$-in-the-Airline-Biz-ALGT-Adds-Cuba_31444.html
Allegiant is also apparently operating US DOD flights.
June 18, 2009 1:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
It would appear as though Doug Hampton's hiring as Vice President for Government Affairs at Allegiant corresponded with the two following events:
- Allegiant Air receives clearance and begins to do charter flights for the US Department of Defense for domestic routes.
- Allegiant Air is cleared by the US Treasury Department to be one of four US airlines that carries passengers between the USA (Miami) and Cuba (4 cities).
That's quite a bit of government business from where there was none before!
June 18, 2009 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
It would also appear that Allegiant Air LLC has a fuel purchase agreement with DOD - where Allegiant can sell fuel to the Department of Defense:
https://www.desc.dla.mil/DCM/Files/TB%20WEB%20Report.pdf
June 18, 2009 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
BTW, re: Ensign touting Allegiant Air, a heavy contributor to Ensign, didn't Congressman Bob Ney go to jail for something similar?
June 18, 2009 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Am I wrong in my impression that this is just more wingnut welfare?
I'm sure Brandon Hampton, the 19-year-old son of Doug and Cynthia Hampton, got his job as a representative in the call center through his dad. I wonder if his pay level is according to standard company policy. I wonder if he even has to show up for work.
It would be wrong not to speculate.
June 18, 2009 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Shouldn't the wife be brought up on a vice charge or something? Is there a difference in cash or an annual salary? Oh yeah, the oldest profession in the world is legal in Nevada?
June 18, 2009 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Only in the rural areas like Pahrump in Nye county and Caliente in Lincoln county. Las Vegas is in Clark county and prostitution is definitely illegal.
June 18, 2009 2:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is John Ensign a bisexual swinger?
Inquiring minds want to know...
June 18, 2009 6:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
god, i hope so. lol.
June 18, 2009 9:44 PM | Reply | Permalink