"The Senate ethics committee on Thursday took the rare step of asking federal agencies to investigate a former colleague, saying it found “substantial and credible evidence” that Nevada Republican John Ensign broke federal laws while trying to cover up an extramarital affair with a political aide.
The panel presented its case against Ensign in blunt language delivered on the Senate floor, suggesting that his alleged violations could lead to formal charges from the Justice Department. It was the first time since 1995 that the committee had referred a case about a current or former senator to federal investigators."
Senate ethics committee: Ensign violated federal laws
The Washington Post:
