Ensign’s troubles grow while Nevada Republicans stay quiet
That sound you hear is the hole getting deeper for Sen. John Ensign in the Doug Hampton job search investigation.
The New York Times on Thursday reported e-mail messages have been turned over to the FBI and Senate ethics investigators that show Ensign "steering lobbying work to the embittered husband (Hampton) of his former mistress and could deepen his legal and political troubles."
That's what's known as understatement. The e-mails appear to illustrate Ensign being disingenuous when he stated he didn't know the work he was helping Hampton find would involve congressional lobbying.
It was previously known Ensign tried to get consulting work for Hampton with NV Energy and Allegiant Air. On Thursday, P2SA Equity of Las Vegas was spotlighted.
Ensign spokeswoman Rebecca Fisher reiterated previous statements that Ensign acted in accordance with ethics rules and violated no law.
According to e-mails now in the hands of FBI agents, P2SA co-owner and Ensign donor Greg Paulk and company Executive Vice President Bob Andrews were contacted about hiring Hampton.
"I took this as a helpful hint," Andrews told Times reporters.
The Times story brings into further focus the role played by Ensign political adviser Mike Slanker.
In an e-mail to Hampton, Slanker wrote: "Spoke with JE about the Paulks. They are looking into energy stuff in rural NV possibly and might need BLM help."
With Ensign's political career enduring a slow, steady burn, you might think U.S. Senate hopefuls and other senior members of Nevada's Republican Party would have something to say about their fallen, fair-haired boy. The stench from the Ensign investigation is obviously hurting the party's chances to return to power in Nevada.
But that's the other sound you hear: silence.
GOOD WILL HURTING?: Metro police and local firefighters have perennially been popular with most citizens, but I'm wondering whether their labor representatives fully appreciate the precarious position they're in as the local economy continues to tumble.
Balking at trimming their extremely generous pay and benefit packages at a time their fellow citizens are hurting is a good way to lose their biggest ally -- the public.
REED WHIPPLE: At least for the next year, it appears the Rainbow Youth Theater Company and Las Vegas Youth Orchestra will stay at downtown's Reed Whipple Cultural Center despite plans to slash its budget, City Manager Betsy Fretwell says.
Concerned parents with children in the theater group and orchestra have relied on the half-century-old Reed Whipple center for rehearsals for years. There have been rumors the center would be closed, perhaps to make way for a redevelopment project. Fretwell says there are no immediate plans to raze the center. She did indicate it might be available for a public-private partnership.
ON THE BOULEVARD: Businessman Bobby Ellis and the employees of Dynalectric really came through for Saturday's St. Baldrick's fundraiser for childhood cancer research. Speaking of shaving for a good cause, don't forget Saturday's second annual Klip it for Kidz fundraiser at 10 a.m. at Town Square. Mayor Oscar Goodman will play barber, and Metro officers and Clark County firefighters will participate. Goodman is already playing barber with city employees. If you want to exercise for a good cause, the Nevada Child Seekers' 16th annual Dash & Stroll is set for Saturday morning at The District at Green Valley Ranch.
BOULEVARD II: I've heard of quickie books, but Chris Dortch's "Blue Ribbon NCAA Basketball Tournament Guide" might be the fastest: The tournament selection is Sunday, the 140-page guide for basketball betting fanatics goes to press that night and ships Monday for arrival Tuesday at Gambler's Book Club at 1550 E. Tropicana Ave. "It's like ice cream," GBC boss Howard Schwartz says. "It starts melting right away." Come to think of it, so do most of my picks.
Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295. He also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/smith.
