NATIONAL BRIEFING / WASHINGTON, D.C.

Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) said he would not resign, even as a watchdog group raised questions about whether he improperly tried to appease his mistress’ husband with a lobbying job and made phone calls on behalf of the man’s clients.

The scandal involving his former relationship with Cynthia Hampton, wife of Ensign’s ex-chief of staff, Doug Hampton, has spawned a preliminary ethics committee inquiry.

Citing a report in the New York Times, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a letter with the ethics committee and the FBI alleging that Ensign helped Doug Hampton violate a one-year lobbying ban and illegally advocated for his clients.

Asked if he intended to resign, Ensign replied: “No. I’ve been saying that all day.”