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Jane Ann Morrison
Senate missteps no longer dog veterinarian John Ensign
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Updated: Jan. 30, 2012 | 7:44 a.m.
Doesn't that guy sticking a needle in that cat's butt look familiar?
Actually, it's former Sen. John Ensign, who has gone back to work as a veterinarian ... for the third time.
Ensign was a 35-year-old veterinarian in 1994 when he unseated Rep. Jim Bilbray, D-Nev. Then after two terms in the House, the Republican ran for the U.S. Senate, losing to U.S. Sen. Harry Reid by a paltry 428 votes in 1998.
So he went back to being a veterinarian for a second time.
However, opportunity knocked quickly. In February 1999, U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan unexpectedly said he wouldn't run again. Ensign was the first in the race and won in 2000.
Things went well for him until June 19, 2009, when he admitted to an affair.
On May 3, 2011, he resigned just days before he would be testifying under oath before the Senate Ethics Committee about his affair with Cindy Hampton, his wife's friend, and the alleged payoff to her husband, Doug Hampton.
Ensign's political career, and any hopes of higher office, have ended.
In October, his veterinarian's license was reinstated and he started working as a volunteer doctor at Heaven Can Wait, a nonprofit with a mission of spaying and neutering cats and dogs for people who couldn't otherwise afford it. After two months, they started paying him.
Now he works there one day a week and also works at the West Flamingo Animal Hospital, the first 24-hour animal hospital he and Dr. Christopher Yach started in 1988. He also works at Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital.
After getting his skills up to date treating pets, he started seeing people last week.
About 80 percent of his patients' owners recognize him.
"There's a little bit of a celebrity-type of effect" from those who recognize him, Ensign said. Many tell him something along of the lines of "I wish you wouldn't have quit the other, but I'm glad to have you as my vet."
Ensign hopes to open his own clinic again eventually. He sold his share of West Flamingo to Yach when he entered politics.
Life in general is good .
"I'm healthy. My marriage is great. I have a son in college, two teenagers who are no problem," he said. "It's a new chapter in my life."
Ensign is comfortable and happy with his life again, after that tumultuous two-year period between June 2009 and May 2011, when he fought to stay in office.
His resignation meant the Senate no longer had any control over him, but the Senate Ethics Committee released a scathing report that found evidence Ensign may have committed conspiracy, made false statements and destroyed potential evidence in trying to cover up the affair. The committee recommended that the Justice Department reconsider filing charges against Ensign. That hasn't happened.
Ensign said he hasn't heard from the Justice Department in more than a year. That could indicate any investigation has stopped.
Doug Hampton was charged with seven counts of violating a federal lobbying law, but no date has been set for his trial.
The last time I saw Ensign in person, in February, he and his wife, Darlene, were heading into a VIP reception with Herman Cain at the Clark County Lincoln Day dinner. Ensign was still a candidate for re-election. When he was introduced, applause for him was noticeably lackluster. The next month, Ensign said he wouldn't run after all.
Just from talking to him, it is obvious he is comfortable with his life and less stressed.
Politically, he's not active. He won't attend this year's Lincoln Day Dinner in Las Vegas.
Until Hampton's trial resurrects the scandal, Dr. Ensign is likely to live a quiet life, although less glamorous than when he was Sen. Ensign.
Surely there's something to be said for a peaceful existence out of the limelight.
Jane Ann Morrison's column appears Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Email her at Jane@reviewjournal.com or call her at (702) 383-0275. She also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/Morrison.
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Maybe Ensign should learn how to survive in political world. If he had more mistresses and divorced with 'open marriage', he could be a GOP presidential candidate this time. Wish good luck to Ensign's new life. Hope his children ignore their father's past strange behavior and succeed in their field. Good luck to them!
You people are ridiculous! Especially those who don't think he should be able to make a living doing what he has gone back and become current to do!! It is amazing the standard an 'R' politician is held to, yet Harry Reid is one of the most corrupt men and has become filthy rich 'representing' us !! How pathetic most of your lives must be. BTW, when you take your pets to your Vet, do they have to go through a screening about their personal lives before you let them treat your animal??? Seriously, you people are such hypocrites!!!
I THINK HE SHOULD BE INDICTED AS A CO-CONSPIRATOR AS HE GOT HAMPTON THE JOB AND NEW HE COULDN'T LOBBY FOR 1 YEAR.
@ mrs ed; I understand your point, but laws are written by legislators, or crooks and are vague. Compared to Charlie Manson, John Esign is a moral man. Now you and I know that he is not, but attornies make big money off of these vague laws.
Puff piece. the real story would be why his license was renewed despite the moral character requirement.
I would submit that public humiliation is his punishment. His ethical and personal indiscretion reflects on his person and his family forever. I truly would never allow him to touch my pet.
You cannot bust someone with inside knowledge or the ramifications may affect National Security. Just look at the individuals in Congress who have committed crimes but remain in Congress. Kudos to any Congressman who resigns when they have been caught. May the others who refuse to be held accountable or accept responsibility rot.
NRS 638.1 2a States that veternarians should be of "good moral character." Why does this guy still have a license. .....and Hampton is being charged?
We can't wait to visit Vegas on April 1st, when stories like this start with needles in cat's butts. Jane Ann Morrison, you are our kind of columnist!
http://www.americancrassroads.com/#!
Jane Ann - This is your first column that I take exception with. Ensign does not deserve to be advertised. He has been out of vet medicine for almost 20 years. I would not let him near my dogs or any of the dogs for the rescue I run. Ensign did nothing at all for Nevada while in office and I expect nothing more from him in vet medicine now. He should not be able to practice after 18 years out of medicine. He, nor any clinic he works at, will get any business from our rescue. He treated his best friend like a leper, why should anyone expect that he would treat their animals with care?
Go away Ensign!