The Hill News

The arraignment of a former aide to retiring Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) charged with violating conflict-of-interest laws has been postponed until next week because the defendant could not afford transportation to D.C. from his home in Southern California.

Doug Hampton was indicted March 24 on seven counts of violating criminal conflict-of-interest laws for allegedly engaging in unlawful communications with Ensign’s office. This violated a “revolving door” policy that forbids high-ranking Senate aides from lobbying the Senate for a year after they leave Capitol Hill.

On March 29, Hampton filed a motion with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia requesting that U.S. Marshals provide transportation for him to appear at his arraignment, which is now scheduled for April 4 at 1:30 p.m.

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