Ethics group broadens Ensign complaint

LAS VEGAS (AP) - A Washington watchdog group wants a federal agency to investigate whether Sen. John Ensign's parents violated campaign finance law when they each gave his mistress $12,000.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington on Friday filed a supplementary letter with the Federal Election Commission. The group says the payments from Ensign's parents to Cindy Hampton, a campaign aide and longtime friend, may have been severance payments. That would exceed the contribution limits for campaign and political action committees.

Ensign acknowledged last month that he had a consensual affair with Hampton from December 2007 through August 2008.

Ensign's attorney says the money was a gift and did not come from campaign or official funds.