Brandon Hampton, who shares an address with former Ensign staffers Doug and Cynthia Hampton, was paid $5,400 between March 2008 and August 2008, according to records. The payments, for 'research policy consulting,' ended the same month as Ensign and Cynthia Hampton's affair, which began in December 2007. Ensign staffers and the NRSC did not return calls seeking comment. The Nevada senator, a rising Republican star, acknowledged the affair Tuesday at a hastily arranged news conference in Las Vegas. Ensign on Wednesday resigned his post as part of the Republican Party leadership in the Senate. Ensign had served as head of the Republican Policy Committee. Powers reported from Las Vegas. 