Just last week, the career of Republican presidential hopeful Nevada Senator John Ensign imploded. He admitted he'd had an affair with one of his staffers. 

Now for the first time, INSIDE EDITION has a photo of the woman at the heart of the scandal. Her name is Cynthia Hampton and she and her husband are seen posing with the senator and his wife!

The picture was taken in 2001 at a 20th high school reunion.

Cynthia Hampton was close friends with the senator's wife, Darlene, in high school in California and they remained friends.

Cynthia’s husband Doug says he found out in 2008 about an affair between his wife and the senator. In turn, Ensign has accused Doug Hampton of extortion.

For that 2001 reunion, the two women included family pictures for the yearbook.  Cynthia Hampton wrote: "Doug and I just celebrated our 13th anniversary…Life is awesome and we are truly blessed."

While Darlene Ensign wrote, "It's been a great rollercoaster ride so far!"