Prosecutors Won’t Charge Ensign

By ERIC LICHTBLAU and ERIC LIPTON
NYT

WASHINGTON —Justice Department prosecutors have cleared Senator John Ensign of criminal allegations arising from his affair with a former campaign aide and his efforts to secure lobbying work for the woman’s husband, the senator’s lawyers announced Wednesday.

The decision ends the most serious legal threat facing Mr. Ensign, the Nevada Republican who was considered a possible Republican presidential candidate in 2012 until the scandal over his affair made national headlines last year and damaged his career.

Mr. Ensign’s office said he was “certainly pleased” by the decision, which followed a yearlong investigation. The senator could still face disciplinary action by the Senate ethics committee.

Mr. Ensign’s lawyers said the Justice Department had “informed us that Senator Ensign is no longer a target of its investigation and that it has no plans to bring any charges against him in this matter.” The Justice Department declined to comment on the case.

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