In announcing that he wouldn’t seek reelection for his Senate, Nevada Republican John Ensign — best known for his efforts to pay off and arrange a lobbying job for Doug Hampton, his best friend and aide whose wife he’d had an affair with — said “there are consequences to sin.” He’s nonetheless confident that “God has forgiven me, and so has my wife.” The announcement comes as the Senate Ethics Committee ramps up its investigation, even though the Justice Department concluded its probe without pressing charges.

Sin: Ensign had an affair with his best friend’s wife, and paid him hush money. Sin: his friends at C Street helped. Sin, yes. But consequences? What are they?

In his book, C Street, Jeff Sharlet described the nature not just of Ensign’s sin, but that of others who helped him: