When Governor Mark Sanford's soap opera pushed Senator John Ensign's infidelity out of the news, I thought the senator from Nevada was in the clear. However, via Swing State Project I saw this story from Roll Call that should eventually lead to Ensign's resignation.

In April 2008, each of Ensign's parents gave $12,000 gifts to Cindy Hampton (who had been having an affair with the senator), her husband Doug Hampton, and both of the Hamptons' children. That's $96,000 Ensign's parents paid to the family of their son's mistress.

"The payments were made as gifts, accepted as gifts and complied with tax rules governing gifts. After the Senator told his parents about the affair, his parents decided to make the gifts out of concern for the well-being of long-time family friends during a difficult time. The gifts are consistent with a pattern of generosity by the Ensign family to the Hamptons and others," Ensign's lawyer Paul Coggins said in a statement.

Coggins also stressed that the payments were not from campaign or federal funds, and were not related to either Hampton's work for Ensign. "None of the gifts came from campaign or official funds nor were they related to any campaign or official duties. Senator Ensign has complied with all applicable laws and Senate ethics rules," Coggins said.

I would like to know more about that "pattern of generosity." Who suggested that Ensign's parents make these gifts? Who else has received $12,000 gifts from the senator's parents over the years?

If sending $96,000 to the Hampton family was intended to buy anyone's silence, it didn't work. In June Doug Hampton asked a Fox News reporter to cover how "Senator Ensign pursued and engaged in a relationship with my wife."

I do agree with Doug Hampton about one thing: "Senator Ensign has no business serving in the US (sic) Senate anymore!"

There's more...