Ex-Aide to Senator Pleads Guilty in Scheme That Snared Only Him

[alp227]

Source: NY Times

Douglas Hampton came to the Capitol from Nevada six years ago on the coattails of his best friend, Senator John Ensign, to serve as Mr. Ensign’s senior political aide.

On Thursday, a somber Mr. Hampton returned to Washington and pleaded guilty to a charge of illegal lobbying in a scandal that left him in bankruptcy, ended his marriage and forced Mr. Ensign to resign his Senate seat last year under threat of expulsion by fellow senators.

“I plead guilty,” Mr. Hampton, 50, told Judge Beryl A. Howell of United States District Court as he stood in her courtroom, less than a mile from the Senate building where he used to work.

If Mr. Hampton’s plea deal with federal prosecutors provides a cautionary tale about the abuse of political power, it is a complicated one that has left a number of legal and political observers befuddled by the Justice Department’s contrasting treatment of Mr. Hampton and his onetime boss.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/08/us/politics/ex-ensign-aide-pleads-guilty-in-scheme-that-snared-only-him.html

[Archae]

1. Rachel mentioned this on her show.

Isn't it amazing?

Cornyn and Ensign got off (almost) scot-free.

This guy is facing jail time.

[Art_from_Ark]

2. Kind of like the Scooter Libby affair

[boppers]

3. He copped a witness deal.

He supplied the evidence against Ensign, and cut an amazing plea deal. Ensign hasn't been cleared yet.

[karynnj]

8. For Coburn, yes, but Ensign lost his seat

In addition, he lost all political future - and he was a rising star. Still Jail seems appropriate.

[Rhiannon12866]

4. Did anybody else know that John Ensign is a veterinarian?!

Saw that on MSNBC tonight. He was examining a cat. Would you trust him with your pet?!

[Archae]

6. Sounds like he's a good veterinarian.

A really shitty senator, but yeah, I would trust him with my cat.

[dicksmc3]

5. Coburn gets off scott free!!

The guy along with Ensign who should be going to jail is Senator Tom Coburn for his cover up with the $96000 pay off. He's just as guilty as Hampton. Looks as if Hampton is the fall guy just like Scooter was for Cheney and Bush. This is getting so bad with these
Repugs it't pathetic!! I wish someone would start calling these guys out, not just Rachel..

[Archae]

7. Coburn actually was punished!

Yes! He was!

He was "admonished" for what he did.

Gee, what a TERRIBLE punishment!