FBI says the bureau not investigating the Ensign matter

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ENSIGN_AFFAIR?SITE=ILKAN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Ensign's parents gave mistress's family $96k

By KATHLEEN HENNESSEY
Associated Press Writer

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Sen. John Ensign said Thursday his parents gave his mistress and her family nearly $100,000 "out of concern for the well being of longtime family friends during a difficult time," providing his first public acknowledgment that the woman received payments tied to the affair.

In a statement through his attorney, Ensign described the April 2008 payment as a single check for $96,000 given to Cindy and Doug Hampton and two of their children. The Hampton family received the check after the senator told his parents of his affair with Cindy Hampton, a campaign aide and longtime friend. snip

Also Thursday, a liberal Washington watchdog group sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder asking for a criminal probe of the possible severance payment. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has also sought a Senate ethics investigation into the matter.

An FBI spokesman in Las Vegas, David Staretz, said the bureau was not investigating the matter. The U.S. Attorney for Nevada did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

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1. 'out of concern for the well being of longtime family friends' BULLSHIT