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Cookie Recuses Himself From Baghdad Embassy Inquiry
That's one fewer corruption case Howard "Cookie" Krongard will investigate. The embattled State IG says he'll step aside from the Baghdad Embassy construction scandal.
In addition to removing himself from all queries related to Blackwater, Inspector General Howard Krongard has given up his role in looking into corruption allegations involving the construction of the new U.S. embassy in Baghdad, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.The move came at the request of a congressional oversight committee chaired by Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., which Krongard testified before a day earlier. During the hearing he learned, apparently for the first time, that his brother is a member of Blackwater's advisory board.
"That was at the request of Congressman Waxman's committee because they are doing their own inquiries into the new embassy compound," McCormack said. "Because of the reporting relationship between the IG and the Congress, of course, Howard honored that request."
How does State feel about Krongard remaining on the job? Here's AP's dry wit:
Despite the fact that he has now recused himself from the State Department's two main internal investigations in Iraq and has come under heavy pressure to resign, Krongard has not offered to step down and is, for the moment, continuing as the inspector general, McCormack told reporters. He did not, however, offer Krongard a ringing endorsement."He is still doing his work as inspector general," McCormack said. "Obviously, if there weren't support for his doing his job as inspector general, then he wouldn't be doing that job."
Update: There's quite an irony here. As Paul reported, Krongard stopped his staff from investigating corruption in the embassy construction contract -- preferring to personally collect a blanket denial from the contractor after speaking to hand-picked employees and closing the file. Maybe now the IG's office can actually get some work done here.
Comments (16)
brian wrote on November 15, 2007 12:17 PM:It is clear that Krongard is free to ignore Rice, whose 'management' of her department is a sick joke.
Who stuck Krongard in that position ? Cheney, as usual ?
Who is his master ?
over there wrote on November 15, 2007 12:28 PM:"Obviously, if there weren't support for his doing his job as inspector general, then he wouldn't be doing that job"...
...is not an endorsement or non-endorsement. It's translated as, "Bush and Cheney want him here, so he stays."
moondancer wrote on November 15, 2007 12:48 PM:LOL
If that isn't the most tepid non-endorsement(McCormack) I've ever heard.
Translation: You can resign anytime you want.
Capone wrote on November 15, 2007 1:07 PM:Hahahahahhh "and where necessary"
Guess Not...
If confirmed, my mission as the Inspector General will be to pursue and work with the Department and Broadcasting Board of Governors to prevent, and where necessary, identify instances of waste, fraud, and mismanagement, wherever found.
From Statement Of The Inspector General-Designate
http://oig.state.gov/documents/organization/47772.pdf
Molly, NYC wrote on November 15, 2007 1:11 PM:Remember what happened to the French garrison at Dien Bien Phu? That's what's going to happen to the Green Zone and this embassy.
Philip Wright wrote on November 15, 2007 1:15 PM:I need some background to flesh this guy out. He clearly has had no intention of fulfilling his role as IG. Where does he come from? What is his background? Who is he loyal to? The business with his brother is beyond bizarre. Are they just stupid? What is the background to this guy?
mjs wrote on November 15, 2007 1:17 PM:Thieves used to wait until dark before practicing their art, so as to avoid being spotted. Now, they plunder in broad daylight and when questioned simply blink and say "what?"
++++
Philip Wright wrote on November 15, 2007 1:39 PM:In an effort to answer my own questions I did find out some info on the brother:
In addition to being the Chairman of the Board of Underarmour, a sports apparel company,
Krongard's background includes a 26-year stint at Alex. Brown and serving as the investment bank's chairman and CEO. He left that Baltimore company in 1998 after it was sold to Bankers Trust Corp. for $1.7 billion, and joined the Central Intelligence Agency, where he was later appointed executive director.
theWalrus wrote on November 15, 2007 2:30 PM:Heck of a job, Cookie.
mo2 wrote on November 15, 2007 2:38 PM:Bush is supposed to announce appointees for up to 12 vacant DOJ positions today. It is 2:30 pm in DC now, so the announcement should be in the next couple of hours.
dewey_m wrote on November 15, 2007 2:54 PM:Watch the cookie is crumble
foggylady wrote on November 15, 2007 3:13 PM:" Cookie" worked for almost 20 years at Deloitte Touche, one of accounting's Big Four, ( the Big 5 used to include Arthur Anderson ).
Deloitte Touche's CEO ranks as
a "Bush Pioneer" for fundraising.
Deloitte Touche is an international firm, has been involved in quite a few fraud scandals , the recent ones from 2002 to 2006 include:
Adelphia Communications Corp, (2002),
2 fraud cases in 2006 involving China firms,
a 2004 accounting fraud case dubbed Europe's Enron, and several other lawsuits against the firm.
More interesting is his brother, Alvin Bernard Krongard, ( guess "Buzzy" makes more sense now)
who was the connection between Erik Prince of Blackwater Security Consulting and the CIA. Through his influence, Blackwater was able to receive its first black contract. ( Source: Wikipedia)
Perhaps " Cookie " was shoved into the job by Blackwater/Buzzy/CIA? Sorta a dim dupe?
Philip Wright wrote on November 15, 2007 3:42 PM:.
Hmm,
I had some knowledge of Deloitte Touche in work I did for the State of Georgia. Most everything that came to my attention raised questions concerning their methods for obtaining State contracts. They were big in the Medicaid Billing business and that was/is a dirty business.
So, no surprises there. But you may be right. It may have been more brotherly assistance in getting Cookie the job rather than vice versa. He seems to have handled the responsibilities he was handed quite well.
Any odd monies ended up in his accounts?
Also there is that odd business about the PKK getting weapons. Anyone who has followed it has heard that this was something that Cheney was pushing. Using these guys as a weapon against Iran. So Cookie may have been set up for a couple or reasons. I guess we'll see him on the Presidential pardon list before it's over.
Terry Glynn wrote on November 16, 2007 12:46 PM:Why haven't there been impeachment proceedings against Bush and Cheaney. To kill a snake, you cut off it's head. Isn't that the answer to our prayers. We have to get our government back. NOW!, before it's too late.
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