Rep. Stockman, aides subpoenaed in grand jury criminal probe

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Outgoing Republican Texas Rep. Steve Stockman and three of his aides have been subpoenaed by a grand jury investigating criminal activity.

The subpoenas are seeking testimony and documents for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and are apparently related to campaign finances.

Stockman has come under scrutiny over campaign contributions from his staff members. The congressman, who lost a primary bid for Senate this year, hasn't yet decided if he'll cooperate. He said he's consulting with his attorney to determine if compliance is "consistent with the privileges and rights of the House," according to a statement given to House Speaker John Boehner.

Stockman was slammed in a report made public months ago by the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), which was investigating accusations that Stockman had illegally taken contributions from staffers, then lied about it to investigators. The OCE report determined that Stockman's campaign committee misidentified the donors as family members of the workers. If Stockman lied or filed false statements, he may have violated federal law and House rules, warned the OCE

Stockman legislative aide Prentice Leblanc and the congressman's communications and policy adviser, Donny Ferguson, have also been subpoenaed, and have been told by the House counsel that they can comply without jeopardizing any House protections.