US Senator Ensign to resign in May over extramarital affair probe

April 22nd, 2011 - 1:06 pm ICT by ANI  

Washington, Apr 22 (ANI): US Senator John Ensign of Nevada, who is facing an ethics investigation over his affair with the wife of a top aid, has denied of ‘violating any law’, but said that he would resign next month while continuing with his fight against the allegations.

“It is with tremendous sadness that I officially hand over the Senate seat that I have held for eleven years. The turbulence of these last few years is greatly surpassed by the incredible privilege that I feel to have been entrusted to serve the people of Nevada,” The New York Times quoted Ensign, as saying in a statement.

The Republican Senator said that he has taken the decision to partially avoid formal charges of wrongdoing.

“While I stand behind my firm belief that I have not violated any law, rule, or standard of conduct of the Senate, and I have fought to prove this publicly, I will not continue to subject my family, my constituents, or the Senate to any further rounds of investigation, depositions, drawn out proceedings, or especially public hearings. For my family and me, this continued personal cost is simply too great,” he added.

Ensign would reportedly formally resign on May 3.

The veteran politician had reportedly begun an affair with the wife of Doug Hampton, his best friend, in 2007.

Hampton’s wife, Cynthia, worked as treasurer of Mr. Ensign’s campaign and political action committee. (ANI)

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