Who paid the Ensign hush money? It's a financial scandal, not a sex scandal

[malaise]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/6/17/743759/-Who-paid-the-Ensign-hush-money-Its-a-financial-scandal,-not-a-sex-scandal.

<snip>
So, we have the NRSC -- funded by contributors to the party -- paying for this 19 year old to be a consultant.

At the same time, the taxpayers are paying salaries and then severance pay to the couple.

And there may be more payoffs.

After both Hamptons abruptly stopped working for Ensign in May 2008, reports the Review-Journal, Doug Hampton went to work for Allegiant Air, a Las Vegas-based travel company, and for November Inc., the political consulting firm that runs Ensign's campaigns and employs several former Ensign staffers.

Did the folks running that company pay Doug Hampton to help Ensign out of a jamb, to prevent the affair from being revealed? Were there any deals between Ensign and Allegiant that were part of a broader quid pro quo?

This doesn't look so much like a straight (excuse the pun) sex scandal, but a series of financial scandals.

If I were a Republican leader, I'd be worried. And if I were a Republican contributor, I'd be pissed that my money may have gone for a pay-off.

Time to follow the money.

[hedgehog]

1. You mean, once again a Republican is being forced to face the fact that

It's not the crime it's the cover-up!

[FiveGoodMen]

2. We'll have to wait and see whether any force is applied.

They usually just get away with it.

[malaise]

3. Exactly

but that letter to the Fox lady from Douglas Hampton suggests lots of details will follow