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HELENA, Mont. (AP) - A top staff member for Rep. Denny Rehberg is facing poaching charges in Madison County for allegedly taking an elk out of season and abandoning the carcass.

Randy Vogel was named Rehberg's state political director on March 1. Two days later, the 57-year-old aide was cited by a state game warden for allegedly poaching a young bull elk near Ennis in November.

Vogel is due to appear in court next week on four charges, including harvesting a spike bull elk during closed season, abandoning the carcass in the field, killing more than one elk without authorization and obstruction of a peace officer.

Rehberg spokesman Jed Link says the congressman was not aware of the allegations until after Vogel's appointment. Link said Tuesday that Vogel has since asked for and been granted an indefinite leave without pay.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)