U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry may sue a challenger over a TV ad.

The Cherryville Republican has threatened legal action against primary opponent Lance Sigmon over a 30-second ad that accuses him of "revealing troop positions" in Baghdad.

The ad says two Americans died after McHenry posted a video on his Congressional Web site about an attack on the Green Zone. It claims McHenry could face 10 years in prison because of an espionage act that prohibits aiding the enemy.

A letter from McHenry's attorney, Kelsey Williams of Hickory, tells Sigmon to "cease and desist" airing the ad, titled "Two Bit."

"Representative McHenry has never alluded to nor mentioned any positions of troops," said the letter, made public Monday. "Also, said ad asserts that the aforementioned video caused the death of two Americans. This statement is on its face false."

Williams also said the suggestion that McHenry violated espionage laws is also false. (Char-O)