No. 2 Republican keeps mum about Ensign probe

[October 05, 2009]  (AP)  The No. 2 Senate Republican is keeping his distance from the scandal surrounding his embattled GOP colleague from Nevada, John Ensign.

Arizona Sen. John Kyl on Sunday didn't offer any defense of Ensign when he asked about a probe into Ensign's extramarital affair with an aide.

Kyl told CNN's "State of the Union" that he would wait to see what happens before commenting.

The Senate Ethics Committee is investigating Ensign's actions. News reports have detailed how the Nevada Republican tried to hide the affair by arranging for a $96,000 payment to the couple and helping with jobs.

The New York Times reported recently that the woman's husband lobbied Ensign on behalf of his clients, a job that Ensign had helped him to get.

[Associated Press]

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