Ensign political funds continue to dwindle

His Washington career over, the political funds for former Sen. John Ensign continue to dwindle.

Ensign's principal campaign account is down to $4,370, according to his latest report filed last Friday with the Federal Election Commission.

A second Ensign political fund, the once-thriving Battle Born Political Action Committee, contained $31,326 as of the end of September.

The 54-year-old Republican was viewed as a Senate up-and-comer before he disclosed an extramarital affair in June 2009. Ensign resigned in May, just ahead of a blockbuster Senate ethics report that said it found evidence he broke laws in covering up the affair.

According to the FEC, Ensign spent $21,151 from his "Ensign for Senate" campaign account in the three-month period ending Sept. 30.

Of that, $15,734 was for legal fees to firms that represented him and former aides during Senate and Justice Department investigations into his conduct. Since he came under scrutiny, the Nevadan tapped his political account for more than $650,000 in legal costs.

Over the last three months, Ensign also made a $354 payment on a cell phone and paid $2,092 on credit cards. It also appeared he settled a $1,858 tab with the Senate restaurants. The FEC gives lawmakers much leeway in how they spend campaign money after they leave office.

Ensign loaned his committee $25,000 in March, payable due at the end of 2012. The campaign also is in a protracted dispute with the Casa Blanca Resort and Casino of Mesquite over a $20,000 catering bill, according to the report.