KTVQ

Posted: Mar 10, 2010 11:53 PM
Updated: Mar 12, 2010 10:45 PM

 BILLINGS - Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg's new state director Randy Vogel has come out swinging in his own defense, after being charged with poaching a young bull elk last November in Montana's Madison Mountain range.

In an interview with Q2 News, Vogel steadfastly maintained his innocence and says he can't wait to get into court to see his name cleared.  "My credibility for 30 to 35 yeras in this community is suddenly in the middle of a political firestorm, perpetrated by who, I don't know.   But I don't like it, I don't appreciate it, and I will definately fight it," Vogel said.   "What's really frustrating is that now they're using what I have done to try to condemn Congressman Rehberg."

  Vogel says during last November's hunting trip with friends and another Rehberg staffer, a Montana game warden approached the group and questioned them about a spike elk that had been shot in the same area.  Vogel said his group explained to the warden what transpired during their elk hunt, and even agreed to meet the warden the next day to show him where they had been hunting.It wasn't until mid-January, two months after the hunting trip, that Vogel said he heard again from the game warden,  who asked to visit with him at his Billings home.  Vogel says when the warden arrived at his home, he had a search warrant and was accompanied by four other game wardens.

It wasn't until the first week in of March, just two days after Vogel was named Congressman Rehberg's new state director, that he was notified that he had been charged with poaching.  Vogel says he plans to prove his innocence in court, and will plead not guilty during his initial court appearance next week.  In the meantime, he has requested and has received a unpaid leave of absence from his state director's position.

Adding to the political intrique of the story, is news that one of Congressman Rehberg's democratic challengers, Dennis McDonald, mentioned Vogel's hunting trip and poaching allegations during a talk to Yellowstone County democrats during a speech only hours after Vogel received his tickets for poaching.  Vogel says he finds the circumstances "odd" and accuses McDonald of blatantly lying about what occurred and who was involved.

In a press release Wednesday, McDonald said the entire Vogel incident is another example of "more bad decisions by Denny Rehberg.  " Hiring a poacher as his State Director is embarrassing to Montana's Congressional seat and embarrassing to the State of Montana," said McDonald.   

Vogel is scheduled to appear before Justice Mary Ann O'Malley in a Virginia City Courtroom  March 16th. If he's found guilty, Vogel could face up to six months imprisonment and fines of $3,100.