The Montana Democratic Party has a very Howard Baker-esque question for Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.): “What did Denny Rehberg know about his staff poaching an elk and when did he know it?”

[IMGCAP(1)]The Democrats last night put out a statement demanding answers, Watergate-style, about an incident in which Rehberg staffer Randy Vogel was placed on leave for allegedly illegally killing an elk. The MDP’s executive director, David Benson, tried to frame the matter as one of secrecy, lies and cover-ups. “Either he knowingly hired a poacher, or he hired someone who knowingly lied about it,” he said in the statement.

Rehberg’s office released a statement explaining the incident, saying the staffer wasn’t on the Congressman’s staff at the time of the incident and was informed on March 3 that he was being ticketed for it. “Congressman Rehberg was unaware of the incident in question until Randy informed him of it after receiving notice of the ticket,” the statement says.

Now HOH is wondering whether there’s a Deep Throat in this scandal, which clearly reaches the highest levels of government. And whether Robert Redford will be in the movie version.

Submit your hot tips, juicy gossip or comments here.
Can’t get enough HOH? Get a midday dose of fun and gossip with HOH’s One-Minute Recess, delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here — because everyone deserves more recess.