Press

PRESS

January 19, 2010

CREW Issues Statement on FBI Involvement in Ensign Probe

Requests for Investigation, Federal Agencies, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), States, Nevada, Press Releases, Senate Members, John Ensign

Washington, D.C. – Upon learning that the FBI has been interviewing witnesses in the scandal surrounding Sen. John Ensign (R-NV), Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, stated, “It is not surprising that the FBI is investigating because there is reason to believe Sen. Ensign was involved in at least two felonies: conspiring to help former aide Doug Hampton violate the lobbying ban, and failing to report to the FEC the $96,000 severance payment made to Cynthia Hampton.”

Sloan continued, “The fact that the FBI is investigating makes clear that no one -- not even a powerful United States senator -- is above the law. It is time for him to resign.”

Ms. Sloan is available to provide analysis into the legal and ethical implications surrounding Sen. Ensign’s conduct. To schedule an interview, please contact Matt Jacob at 202.408.5565 or mjacob@citizensforethics.org.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a non-profit legal watchdog group dedicated to holding public officials accountable for their actions. For more information, please visit www.citizensforethics.org or contact Garrett Russo at 202.408.5565 or grusso@citizensforethics.org