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Ensign Inquiry Will Go On

Senate ethics panel makes unusual move to continue after resignation

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 23, 2011 6:39 AM CDT

(Newser) – John Ensign may have quit to avoid further scrutiny of his peccadilloes, but the Senate ethics investigation into his affair with a campaign staffer will go on, reports the Washington Post. “Senator Ensign has made the appropriate decision," said a statement from Sens. Barbara Boxer and Johnny Isakson, who are leading the inquiry. However, “The Senate Ethics Committee has worked diligently for 22 months on this matter and will complete its work in a timely fashion." Ensign will step down May 3, notes Politico, a day before he was to be deposed.

The ethics panel loses jurisdiction when Ensign leaves office, notes the Post, but could still release a report of its findings—precisely the sort of further embarrassment Ensign was seeking to avoid. It could also refer the case to the Justice Department, which has been conducting a criminal investigation. Click for more on Ensign's career and scandal.

Sen. Barbara Boxer is the chair of the Senate panel investigating John Ensign.
Sen. Barbara Boxer is the chair of the Senate panel investigating John Ensign.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga, is the ranking Republican of the Senate panel investigating John Ensign.
Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga, is the ranking Republican of the Senate panel investigating John Ensign.   (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., who has said he'll resign on May 3 -- one day before he was to be deposed in his ethics investigation.
Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., who has said he'll resign on May 3 -- one day before he was to be deposed in his ethics investigation.   (AP Photo/Cathleen Allison)
The Senate will continue its ethics investigation of John Ensign, an unusual move in the face of his resignation.
The Senate will continue its ethics investigation of John Ensign, an unusual move in the face of his resignation.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 20 comments
yoeydude
Apr 23, 2011 5:54 PM CDT
oh snap , sum slow roasting over an open fire ,..... he aint done yet
river291
Apr 23, 2011 3:25 PM CDT
" It could also refer the case to the Justice Department, which has been conducting a criminal investigation." It Could? It darn well better, if it found anything remotely criminal. The Senate, schools, colleges, churches...they are not entitled to withhold evidence of criminality in order to protect their own...or, more likely, hope to get the same "consideration" when they get in trouble.
TiredMemeCat
Apr 23, 2011 11:06 AM CDT
A Repuglican *heterosexual* scandal; how refreshing!

 
Nevada • John Ensign • political scandal • senator • Nevada senate race

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