KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video - Report: Sen. Ensign Sought Work For Ex-Lover's Husband
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(AP) -- The New York Times reports e-mails turned over to the FBI and Senate ethics investigators provide new evidence about Sen. John Ensign's efforts to find lobbying work for the husband of his former mistress and could add to his legal problems.
The newspaper reported on its Web site Wednesday night the Nevada Republican suggested that a Las Vegas development firm hire the husband, Douglas Hampton, after it had sought the senator's help on several energy projects in 2008.
It said the e-mails are the first written records from Ensign documenting his efforts to find work for Hampton, a former top aide and close friend, after the senator had an affair with his wife,
Cynthia Hampton, a former Ensign campaign staffer.
The Times said the messages appear to undercut the senator's assertion that he did not know the work might involve congressional lobbying, which could violate a federal ban on such activities by staff members for a year after leaving government.
Ensign's spokeswoman, Rebecca Fisher, told the Times: "Sen. Ensign has stated clearly, he has not violated any law or Senate ethics rule."
