WASHINGTON - Federal prosecutors have interviewed Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte as they investigate whether his former teammate Roger Clemens lied to Congress when he denied using performanceenhancing drugs.

Two people familiar with the case told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Pettitte was in Washington last week to meet with prosecutors.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.

The same week prosecutors were talking to Pettitte, they also won a guilty plea from the Houston Astros' All- Star shortstop Miguel Tejada for a misdemeanor count of lying to Congress about steroids in baseball.

Pettitte could be a crucial witness for any case against Clemens. The two trained together for years.

Pettitte has acknowledged taking human growth hormone and told congressional investigators that Clemens informed him nearly a decade ago that he used HGH.

Prosecutors are weighing whether to bring perjury charges against Clemens for denying under oath to Congress that he took performance enhancing substances.

Lawyers for Pettitte declined to comment. Much of what investigators wanted to know Pettitte had already told Congress.