Ex-Ensign aide Hampton accuses former boss of ethics violations

Doug Hampton, a former co-chief of staff to Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), said that the embattled senator's parents paid his wife severance -- not a gift -- a decision that may constitute an ethics law violation. 

Ensign's parents paid Cynthia Hampton $96,000 in April 2008 as a gift after Doug Hampton found out that the senator and his wife, who worked for Ensign's campaign, were having an affair. Ensign's attorney in July acknowledged the gift, saying it was a sympathetic act during a "difficult time."

But in an interview with ABC News' "Nightline" set to air Monday, Hampton says the money was severance for losing her job with Ensign's campaign and his political action committee.

When asked if it was clear that the money was severance pay, Hampton said it was "crystal clear."

"Crystal clear," Hampton said. "I took notes. I've shared those notes. They're well documented. They were clearly what he deemed as severance."

Hampton also denied the July statement from Ensign's attorney Paul Coggins, in which he called the outlay part of a "pattern of generosity."

"Pattern of generosity?" Hampton told ABC News' Cynthia McFadden. "Oh, hey, listen, 'We realize our son's having an affair with your wife, maybe some money will help.' It's ridiculous!"

Ensign has been accused of committing a multitude of ethics breaches during the course of his affair.
After Doug Hampton confronted Ensign about the affair in early 2008, he arranged a job for Hampton at a Nevada consulting firm and corporate lobbying clients for Hampton that had donated to Ensign's campaign.

Senate staffers are barred from lobbying the upper chamber until a year after they left their previous jobs. Hampton has said that Ensign and he were aware of the restrictions but chose to ignore them.

Ensign, who was once considered a rising star in the Republican Party, has previously denied any ethics violations and has said he would cooperate with any investigations.

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