A US congressional panel found former presidential adviser Karl Rove in contempt today for defying a subpoena to testify in its probe into suspected political meddling at the Justice Department.
On a party-line vote of 20-14, the Democratic-led House of Representatives Judiciary Committee approved a contempt citation against President George W. Bush's former deputy chief of staff and sent it to the full House for approval.
If convicted, Mr Rove could face up to a year in jail. But potential appeals could stretch out until after Mr Bush's term ends in January and a new Congress is elected.
Chairman John Conyers, a Michigan Democrat, said: "The bottom line is this. Mr. Rove breached his obligation to this committee. It is our duty to respond."
Republican Lamar Smith of Texas, the committee's top Republican, accused Democrats of "conducting witch hunts." Instead, he said, "We should consider bipartisan legislation to reduce the price of gas, reduce crime and secure the borders."
The committee probe is part of a broad Democratic effort to challenge what they see as Mr Bush's unwarranted and even unlawful expansion of his presidential powers during his eight years in office.
The House earlier this year approved contempt citations against White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers.
They were cited for refusing to comply with subpoenas demanding documents and testimony in a congressional probe into the firing in 2006 of nine of the 93 US attorneys.
Democrats want to question Mr Rove about those dismissals as well as the decision to prosecute former Alabama Democratic Gov. Don Siegelman for bribery. Some lawmakers also want to ask Mr Rove about an inspector general's report that found former Justice Department aides improperly considered politics in hiring decisions.
Reuters