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Ensign Still Bringing Dirty Laundry Home To Be Washed
It looks like John Ensign's sexual dignity -- which hasn't been high lately -- has plunged to new depths. His lawyer has just released a remarkable statement saying that Ensign's parents paid the Hamptons $96,000 after the 51-year-old senator told his Mom and Dad about the affair.
The senator's father, Mike Ensign, is a casino mogul who sold his shares in the Mandalay Group for around $300 million earlier this decade.
The statement is a response to Doug Hampton's claim that Ensign paid a severance package of over $25,000 to Cindy Hampton when she left his political committee -- which would be a felony violation of campaign finance law if he wasn't reimbursed. A good government group called today for a criminal probe into the matter.
Here's the full statement:
In April 2008, Senator John Ensign's parents each made gifts to Doug Hampton, Cindy Hampton, and two of their children in the form of a check totaling $96,000. Each gift was limited to $12,000. The payments were made as gifts, accepted as gifts and complied with tax rules governing gifts.After the Senator told his parents about the affair, his parents decided to make the gifts out of concern for the well-being of long-time family friends during a difficult time. The gifts are consistent with a pattern of generosity by the Ensign family to the Hamptons and others.
None of the gifts came from campaign or official funds nor were they related to any campaign or official duties. Senator Ensign has complied with all applicable laws and Senate ethics rules.
Paul Coggins
Fish & Richardson P.C.Counsel for Senator John Ensign
Here at TPM, we frequently ask our parents to pay off the families of the people we sleep with, so this seems pretty standard.
Josh
Zachary
Sen Coburn and Sen Ensign are great American White rich men who hide behind God and parents to cover up their unethical acts. Pity them guys for karma will have it's do!
July 9, 2009 3:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wish I believed in karma, as I'm sure it would help me ignore the ugly reality of these people.
July 9, 2009 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I only believe in Nevada State Trooper Karma Miranda.
July 9, 2009 5:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
OMG. I just learned about "C Street" on Rachel Maddow.
It's owned by "The Family"!
That explains it all. You know how Calvinist think that wealth in this world means God's love is shining on you? (I never have heard an explanation of how that figures with "It's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into Heaven" but then I'm not a Calvinist)
Well, The Family kind of takes that to an extreme that must be making Calvin roll over in his grave.
I know you all watch Rachel. If you haven't yet, get to it.
July 10, 2009 12:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
yeah, i watch rachel sometimes.
but have you heard of the Talking Points Memo sites?
that's where i learned all about C Street. they've been talking about it there for weeks now.
you should check it out.
(of course, tpm learned about it from emptywheel/firedoglake...)
July 10, 2009 9:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
I always watch her and last night was no exception. I had heard about The Family but I thought it was just another religious cult which it is but the basis for their being is no scary it made me sick to my stomach.
I have to buy this book by Jeff Sharlet. I must find out more
July 10, 2009 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am no religious scholar, but nothing I have read about Calvinist doctrine would lead me to conclude that that is part of the doctrine. Quite the opposite, in fact: Calvin would have seen wealth as an obstacle to coming to a true understanding of a proper relationship with God.
There may be some who claim to be Calvinists who assert that belief, but it is a perversion of true Calvinism.
Not, I hasten to add, that I consider myself an apologist for Calivinism, either.
July 10, 2009 6:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I especially like the part about how Mom and Dad "made gifts" to the Hamptons and their children. My father used to give me $100 on my birthday every year. Maybe he'd have given me more if I'd fooled around some.
July 9, 2009 3:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm going to ask my wife to consider having an affair with some born-again Congressman (as long as he's rich or has wealthy parents). Then they can show their "concern" for my "well-being" by paying us off.
Fucking scumbags.
July 9, 2009 3:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Woody Harrelson got $1 million for Demi Moore, and Robert Redford was WAY better looking than John Ensign. On the other hand, I haven't seen a photo of Mrs. Hampton, so maybe that cuts both ways.
July 9, 2009 9:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't usually reply to my own comments, but I just saw Mrs. Hammond's picture on TV.
I swear to God she's Michelle Bachman with Sarah Palin's hairdo.
Triplets separated at birth?
July 10, 2009 1:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
When do I get my $12000 bribe, I mean gift. Seriously this looks bad and must be hell of way to commit adultery. If his wife leaves him he will continue to be a great source of income to both women, maybe he can hang his hat on his great charity to these two women.
His next campaign slogan "Sleep with me and all your income will be free"
"Sen Ensign supports women, with money"
July 9, 2009 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dude, don't shortchange yourself. The tax laws have changed. You can now get $13,000 tax free!
July 9, 2009 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
John Ensign is my senator. He also used to be my dog's vet (before I owned her, so I didn't choose him).
I am enjoying all the schadenfruede the Republicans have been supplying lately, mostly because they have been a criminal organization for my entire adult life (since at least Reagan). It's nice to see karma finally - finally - catch up to them. I find it disheartening that politics is a viable front for some elements of organized crime, and that we don't seem able to expose the criminal nature of such organizations until well after tremendous damage has been done to the nation.
And it's the sex scandals that hang them up.
July 9, 2009 3:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
This guy was a vet? Oh my. I kinda have a soft spot in my heart for most vets, not this one.
What a loser, he made his parents fork out almost $100,000 as hush money.
These thugs have no consciences!!!
July 9, 2009 4:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
These people take the concept of "indecent proposal" to new heights (or is it depths?).
If I weren't such a cynic I would think that this episode, along with the Sanford affair, would finally wake people up to the fact that people who claim to be morally superior to us heathens, due to the fact that they worship an ancient sky-god, are full of shit. But I know this will all be forgotten and forgiven the next time someone like Michelle Bachmann or Steve King invokes Lord Jeebus as a mitigating factor for their batshit insanity.
July 9, 2009 3:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
"The gifts are consistent with a pattern of generosity by the Ensign family"
Indeed. It is hard to imagine how Senator Ensign could have been any more generous with himself and his good offices.
July 9, 2009 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe "pattern of generosity" means paper-trail of former paid-off whores.
July 9, 2009 5:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is so sleazy that it could only happen in Las Vegas.
July 9, 2009 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
or in Caligula's Rome.
July 9, 2009 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
So much for "What Happens In Vegas!"
July 10, 2009 7:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, my Senator, Bill Nelson also lives with the same religious cult that Ensign and Coburn live with.
I'm gonna send my wife over to jump his bones, and get us some cash!
July 9, 2009 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
lol- too bad he's such a stiff; I can't imagine him even WANTING to have fun.
July 9, 2009 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pay off the mortgage of the husband of the woman you are fooling around with just to keep your job?
As the story about mentions, Ensign's father just sold casino stocks worth hundreds of millions.
You would think he son could pick up another job that would keep him fed and with a roof over his head, wouldn't you?
Since from the payments that were sent by his parents, we can clearly infer that they knew about the scandal, what bills or political favors has Ensign voted a big "yes" on that would benefit his father.
July 9, 2009 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
"After the Senator told his parents about the affair, his parents decided to make the gifts out of concern for the well-being of long-time family friends during a difficult time. The gifts are consistent with a pattern of generosity by the Ensign family to the Hamptons and others.
Yeah and I have a bridge I would like to sell.
How pathetic is this. What a bunch of creeps, parents included No wonder he turned out so well. Look at his role models.
July 9, 2009 4:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
"The gifts are consistent with a pattern of generosity by the Ensign family to the Hamptons and others."
Does this mean that Ensign was screwing additional wives and also paying them off?
To develop a pattern (of generosity), there must be a series of similar events.
July 10, 2009 8:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is a bit off topic, but in the spirit of exposing right wing ignorance, people need to see just how stupid Sean Hannity really is.
http://progressnotcongress.org/?p=2090
July 9, 2009 4:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
we already know.
July 9, 2009 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm looking forward to Sex in DC:THE MOVIE. The Republican shenanigans need to be immortalized.
July 9, 2009 4:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Desperate Congressmen" premieres tonight on ABC!
July 10, 2009 2:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really don't care what his parents do, and it's great that they have big bucks so that they can help out their out of control son, but make no mistake, Ensign is a world class hypocrite.
July 9, 2009 4:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Recommend for the headline alone, "bringing dirty laundry home", that's priceless. GREAT JOB ZACH!
July 9, 2009 4:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
So we finally have an answer to the $96,000 question .... how much do mistresses receive from their "Born Again/Family Values" Senator boyfriends?
July 9, 2009 4:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I didn't think Sanford could be bested, but Ensign has come from behind. Banging a staffer (who just happens to be his best friend's wife), then having the parents pay hush money in a structured transaction ... but they wrote only one check. Throw in hookers, another other woman, or a wetsuit, and this just might win GOP scandal of the year.
July 9, 2009 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, there's only one check for $96,000, and $12,000 each went to two kids and two adults--that's $48,000. Where's the other $48,000 gone to? I don't get this math.....someone still needs to follow the money!
July 9, 2009 8:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Two times the 48K make 96.
July 10, 2009 6:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Another phony tan needs to go...
Man, Orin Hatch, John Boe-hner, this clown Ensign and Charlie Christ would make one ugly ORANGE tan foursome at the local elite all white country club course... now wouldn't they?
David Vitter can't come. No wearing diapers or having your prostitute caddy at the all white male elite country club.
"Dick" Shelby can't come. His plastic toupee would melt in the sun, no orange tan either... that delicate lil' southern magnolia's complexion could not take the heat...
Bobby Jindal can't come... obvious reasons... all white male elite country club.
Palin can't come... not male enough, no orange tan.
July 9, 2009 5:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm impressed by Coburn's credentials, kinda helps to explain his sound spiritual advice. What a jerk.
July 9, 2009 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is a breaking story on Cheney and the CIA
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/09/was-the-cia-hiding-cheney_n_228864.html
I wonder why no mention of it here.
July 9, 2009 6:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
What other politicians/officials did John Ensign's parents pay off?
July 9, 2009 6:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wasn't aware of Senator Ensign's family wealth before, so I'd imagined his retired parents digging into their 401-K to pay off Ms. Hampton. I liked that version better than the one we are getting as the facts continue to trickle out.
July 9, 2009 6:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
"After the Senator told his parents about the affair, his parents decided to make the gifts out of concern for the well-being of long-time family friends during a difficult time."
How stupid do they think we are? Describe it any way you want, that was hush money.
July 9, 2009 6:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Sugar Daddy" Ensign gave $27,000 to the NRCC in early 2007. That's back when stepson Senator Ensign was the chair of the NRCC. And "Sugar Daddy" Ensign's wife (John's real mom) gave $27,000 too on that day.
Sounds like the family has been supporting their som for quite some time.
July 9, 2009 7:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry... gave to the NRSC... Ensign was Chair of the NRSC.
July 9, 2009 9:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I grant you this doesn't make Ensign or his family look good, but on the other hand, it sure doesn't look any better for the sl_t and her family that he slept with. Can anyone say "blackmail"?
July 9, 2009 7:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Honestly, as fiction, this crap would be hooted mercilessly. Real life is a hoot!
Related: Just finished Christopher Hitchens' savage demolition of Hank Kissinger's (and the Tickster's) countless illegal antics so: those who think this kind of madness goes back to only REAGAN are a-gonna pop their monacle!
Admittedly (and thankfully), there wasn't much sex...
July 9, 2009 7:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
"The payments were made as gifts, accepted as gifts and complied with tax rules governing gifts. "
Um, I don't THINK so. Gifts are not given with the expectation of anything in return. These look like hush-money to me. Not that that's a problem for the Ensigns, it's more a problem for the Hamptons.
They should probably have reported this as income.
lol
July 9, 2009 8:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Something of VALUE in return.
I'm not sure what the market price of maintaining a public life in contradiction to one's private life is.
And it seems that they didn't stay hushed at all - AFTER taking the money.
July 9, 2009 8:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm confused.
"In April 2008, Senator John Ensign's parents each made gifts to Doug Hampton, Cindy Hampton, and two of their children in the form of a check totaling $96,000. Each gift was limited to $12,000. The payments were made as gifts, accepted as gifts and complied with tax rules governing gifts."
How do 4 people each sharing $12k equal $96k?
Is that $12k each is in tax year 2008 and $12k each is in tax year 2009?
What about 2010 and 2011?
July 9, 2009 8:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Each parent can give 12k each to each person.
48k + 48k = 96k
You can gift up to $350k - in your lifetime - without being taxed on it. The gifter pays the tax in that scenario.
July 9, 2009 8:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jesus. Just - jesus...
How is this guy still in office?
July 9, 2009 8:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, what kind of confidential consult do you suppose the Ob-Gyn gave to the veterinarian?
July 9, 2009 10:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
ROFLMAO!!
And Coburn is maintaining a doctor/client relationship hence he doesn't have to say what happened. What did Ensign need with an ObGyn. Maybe something for STDs
July 10, 2009 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder what this sleaze-bag is going to campaign on next time. Law & Order? Morality? Ethics in Government?
Sure, why not? Their knuckle-dragging followers will drag themselves right on over the cliff.
July 9, 2009 10:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why are these men's wives standing idly by? If I were Mrs. Sanford, Ensign, Vitter, etc, etc, I would have been long gone, after a really big court battle!!! And a lot of money!
July 9, 2009 10:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
It wasn't all hugs & kisses for the Senator though, after the payoff by Mommy & Daddy they sent Johnny to his room, without dessert (mistress) & scrubbed him with soap.
Oh, & they called him "Bad Boy".
July 10, 2009 12:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Your twelve thousand dollar contribution to the "Save the Children of the Woman a Republican Congressman Banged", ensures that they can hire an attorney, a publicist and an agent; the simple basics of life that the rest of us take for granted.
July 10, 2009 8:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Pattern of generosity ... ????" How many mistresses and cuckolded husbands have mommy and daddy had to pay off????
July 10, 2009 8:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
What's emerging about the Republican Party is that it has become a Potemkin Village. It seems any reasonably connected white guy or gal willing to get their teeth fixed, put on a suit, show up occasionally at church, and mouth dogma can embark on a lucrative career as a Republican Lawmaker.
"protect our freedom to move our nation forward" "best solutions in the marketplace of ideas" "cut wasteful spending and duplicative programs" "enact a comprehensive energy plan" "ensure that patients and their doctors continue to control health care decisions by ensuring patients have choice" "focus on creating new and good-paying jobs by strengthening small businesses" Learn the 25 key phrases and you, too, are ready to go.
July 10, 2009 8:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
GOP=the party of torture, teabags, hypocrisy, blasphemy, corruption, racism, and limited intelligence.
Did I forget anything?
July 10, 2009 9:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Even the statement by the lawyer is tricky. It says that the gifts were limited to $12,000, yet only 4 people, The Hamptons and their two children received them. If they were limited to $12,000, and only 4 received them, why did the total amount equal $96,000. The only explanation is that both of Sen. Ensign's parents made the gift. However, lets dig a little deeper. According to the lawyer it was "in the form of a check." "A check" not "checks." If it was "a check" that connotes single, one, not 8. Why is this important? Because if it was one check totalling $96,000, then it did not comply with tax free gift rules. If you think I am quabbling over language, I can assure you that lawyers use language extremely carefully. Especially writing a statement for a US Senator, that would be read and scrutinized all over the world, and reveal information that could and should lead to an ethics investigation, criminal complaint and impeachment. You rethugicans did all three to Clinton, so what is good for the goose, is good for the gander. I see a great reality show called "Swinging Politicians" including Ensign, Sanford, Palin and David Vitter. Wow, would this thing get ratings.
July 11, 2009 2:07 AM | Reply | Permalink