Politics stir poaching case against Rehberg aide

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Mar 11, 2010 at 9:29 PM MST

Story Updated: Mar 11, 2010 at 9:29 PM MST

BILLINGS - A top aide to Rep. Denny Rehberg on Thursday insisted he was innocent of elk poaching allegations and said they were fueled by partisan politics, but a newly released affidavit in the case contradicts the aide's story.

Rehberg state director Randy Vogel is due in a Virginia City courtroom next week for alleged hunting violations that could land him in prison for up to six months if convicted.

Sorting out the truth could be difficult: Vogel, a Republican, said he has since sold to an anonymous buyer the rifle authorities suspect was used to shoot the young bull elk near Ennis last November.

Vogel said he didn't shoot the elk, that other hunters were in the area and that he later cooperated with investigators. All of those claims run counter to an affidavit state wildlife officials submitted Thursday in state District Court in Madison County.

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