Ensign IV: As the story turns

Like a Mexican soap opera, we last left the Sen. Ensign's poke-a-dillo with his campaign mistress (Cindy Hampton) and her staffer husband (Doug Hampton) represented by Las Vegas attorney Dan Albregts.

In Ensign III, using my firm grasp of the obvious I correctly opined: "Something doesn't add up." Albregts is the kind of attorney you might hire if, say, you expected a criminal indictment.

Now Friday afternoon comes word from an Ensign aide that “Within the past month, Doug Hampton’s legal counsel made exorbitant demands for cash and other financial benefits on behalf of his client.” No word (or confirmation) on who that attorney was (the Hamptons apparently have talked to several of late).

Will this saga remain a gritty exercise in human frailty, compounded by an employment dispute? Or will this take on a darker element involving hush money and/or bribery of a U.S. Senator?

Stay tuned.

In the meanwhile, I'll give this unsolicited (but very good) advice once again to John. Hold a press conference, or better yet get into the R-J newsroom, and let reporters ask you all the questions they need to ask. Come forward with every detail in this deal. Do it now. If you let the story drib and drab it's way out, going into next week or next month, you invite speculation and otherwise unnecessarily prolong the agony.

You know how to reach me.

And in fairness, the same goes to Cindy and Doug Hampton and the others involved.