Democrats seek ethics panel for Rep. Hart

BOISE (AP) - A top Idaho Democrat is urging Republicans to conduct an ethics investigation into Rep. Phil Hart and his tax troubles with the state and federal government.

Hart, a Republican from Athol, has been hit with nearly $300,000 in tax liens from the Internal Revenue Service in the last year. The Idaho Tax Commission also claims Hart owes more than $53,000 in unpaid taxes over several years.

On Thursday, House Minority Leader John Rusche sent a letter urging Republican leaders to form a legislative panel to determine if Hart's tax woes violate any ethics rules.

The letter also says a panel should determine if Hart should be allowed to keep his seat on the House Revenue and Taxation Committee.

Messages left for Hart by The Associated Press and the Coeur d'Alene Press were not immediately returned.