KTVB.com

Michael Burkett was charged with malicious injury to property and resisting and obstructing officers.

BOISE -- An Idaho state senator is in the spotlight after two of his sons were arrested on charges of vandalizing the statehouse grounds.

Police charged 24-year-old Michael "Ike" Burkett and 22-year-old Thomas Burkett with malicious injury to property. 

They are the sons of district 19 senator Mike Burkett.

Boise police say witnesses reported the pair bent two poles that hold flags to memorialize soldiers killed in Iraq.

Ike Burkett is also charged with resisting and obstructing officers -- and was booked into the Ada County Jail. 

Their father -- senator Burkett -- issued a written statement saying "Tom and Ike Burkett are my two sons.  They have been taught to do the right thing.  I know they have and will continue to cooperate fully with authorities. Their rendition of the facts is different than what has been reported.  I'm confident they will get to the bottom of this and that justice will be done."