Press

PRESS

September 08, 2010

CREW: John Ensign Needs a Mirror

Senate Ethics, Press Releases, Senate Members, John Ensign

Washington, D.C. -A report published in today's Reno Gazette-Journal quotes Senator John Ensign (R-NV) saying the following:

"If you don't hold us accountable, we'll do some real bad things in Washington, D.C."

This statement is particularly ironic given the senator's recent history. A little over a year ago, Sen. Ensign admitted having had a long term affair with his chief of staff Doug Hampton's wife, who worked for the senator's campaign committee. After the affair ended, Sen. Ensign fired both Mr. and Ms. Hampton, and had his parents pay the couple off. He then helped Mr. Hampton set up a lobbying business -- to lobby the senator's own office -- in blatant violation of federal law.

In spite of this, Senator Ensign has repeatedly resisted calls for him to resign. Just last month, he sent out a letter claiming he had done "nothing wrong" and begging people to contribute to his legal defense fund.

In response to today's report, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) Executive Director Melanie Sloan released the following statement:

"While I've never been invited over for tea, Senator Ensign appears to live in a home without mirrors. How a man who has yet to own up to any of his personal and legal transgressions can complain about politicians' lack of accountability is unfathomable. The senator should take a lesson from the kindergarten handbook: pointing a finger at someone else leaves three fingers pointing back at you. It is time for Senator Ensign to take responsibility for his actions and resign."

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 David Merchant at 202.408.5565 or dmerchant@citizensforethics.org