WASHINGTON — Rep. Jamie Raskin warned oil and fuel companies Monday that they could face legal consequences if they import or process Russian diesel covered by U.S. sanctions, escalating a growing dispute over President Donald Trump’s arrangement with Moscow. In a letter to the heads of the American Petroleum Institute, the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Maryland Democrat said companies that help bring the fuel into the country would be acting “at their own risk.” He said they could be held accountable “to the fullest extent of the law.” Raskin cited potential civil and criminal penalties, including up to 20 years in prison. That is his interpretation of the law; a White House official said the deal complies with all applicable laws. Trump announced the arrangement earlier this month as a way to bring down fuel costs. At the time of Raskin’s warning, diesel prices were $2.70 a gallon higher than a year earlier, according to the report. The prospect of buying Russian fuel has drawn criticism from lawmakers in both parties, who have questioned whether the deal can be carried out legally while U.S. sanctions remain in force. At least one tanker carrying Russian diesel was reportedly headed to the United States and expected to arrive the following week. Democratic lawmakers have also asked port authorities and banks to preserve records related to any shipments, raising the prospect of a lengthy congressional inquiry if the fuel is accepted. Raskin is the House Judiciary Committee’s top Democrat and could become its chair if Democrats win control of the House in the election scheduled for the following week. That possibility gives his warning added weight for companies weighing whether to handle the fuel. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said Democrats were focused on investigating Trump rather than improving Americans’ lives. Trade groups receiving Raskin’s letter had not immediately responded to requests for comment.