Waxman: State Dept. Official Thwarted Probes

[IDemo]

Source: Washington Post

By Glenn Kessler
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 18, 2007; 12:20 PM

Howard J. Krongard, the State Department's inspector general, has repeatedly thwarted investigations and censored reports that might prove politically embarrassing to the Bush administration, the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform charged today in a 13-page letter.

The letter, signed by committee Chairman Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.) and released by the committee today, said the allegations were based on the testimony of seven current and former officials on Krongard's staff, including two former senior officials who allowed their names to be used, and private e-mail exchanges obtained by the committee. The letter said the allegations were not limited to a single unit or project, but concerned all three major divisions of Krongard's office -- investigations, audits and inspections.

Waxman demanded documents and testimony for a hearing next month into Krongard's conduct. A copy of the letter also was sent to the committee's ranking minority member, Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.).

Krongard's office said he is traveling today and would not have any immediate comment.


Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/18/AR2007091800799.html?hpid=topnews

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. and when he returns, he will say,

"I've already answered all those questions. Next topic?"

[SlowDownFast]

6. And when subpoened, he will say,

"I'm too busy, and I've already answered all those questions."

[hisownpetard]

10. Followed by, "I cannot comment on an on-going investigation." n/t

[ChairmanAgnostic]

11. and when forced, "I really don't recall."

Sorry, I have no recollection.

[corkhead]

2. "politically embarrassing to the Bush administration" Sociopaths don't feel embarrassment or shame

[Enrique]

3. Krongard is a Hall of Fame lacrosse goalie

according to his State Dept. bio

http://oig.state.gov/about/c12822.htm

[Doctor_J]

4. We'll see how he does at keeing the opponents out of his end zone

when he goes to federal prison.

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. State department thwarting investigations, FBI thwarting investigation,

Federal Prosecutors pursuing political investigations. It's a wonder this country hasn't imploded...yet.

[rodeodance]

7. look at this list--

....Waxman accused Krongard of refusing to send investigators to Iraq and Afghanistan to investigate $3 billion worth of State Department contracts; preventing his investigators from cooperating with a Justice Department probe into waste and fraud in the construction of the U.S. Embassy in Iraq; using "highly irregular" procedures to personally exonerate the embassy's prime contractor of labor abuses; interfering in the probe of a close friend of former White House adviser Karl Rove; censoring reports on embassies to prevent full disclosure to Congress; and refusing to publish critical audits of State's financial statements.

Among the e-mails obtained by the committee are exchanges between staff members as they discuss Krongard's decision not to cooperate with the Justice Department on the embassy probe. "Wow, as we all now that is not the normal and proper procedure," an investigator wrote to Assistant IG John A. DeDona. DeDona forwarded the e-mail to the Deputy IG, William E. Todd, saying, "I have always viewed myself as a loyal soldier but hopefully you sense my frustration in my voicemail yesterday."

Todd wrote back: "I know you are very frustrated. John, you need to convey to the troops the truth, the IG told us both Tuesday to stand down on this and not assist, that needs to be the message."

DeDona responded: "Unfortunately, under the current regime, the view within INV is to keep working the BS cases within the beltway, and let us not rock the boat with more significant investigations."

The letter also said that Krongard's actions have resulted in a "dysfunctional office environment in which you routinely berate and belittle personnel, show contempt for the abilities of career government professionals and cause the staff to fear coming to work." The letter said high personnel turnover has left the office with many senior-level vacancies and only seven of 27 investigator positions filled.

[librechik]

8. I wonder if he's any relation to "Buzzy" Krongard

the CIA guy apparently responsible to the "put" options on 9/11. That investigation ended abruptly when his name came up, too.

[tanyev]

9. Wayne Madsen says yes.

July 27-29, 2007 -- State Department Inspector General Howard Krongard is brother of ex-CIA Executive Director A. B. "Buzzy" Krongard, alumnus of Prescott Bush's Alex Brown Bros.
http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20070727_3

Can't find anything else that says so, though.

They both went to Princeton and are in the Natl Lacrosse HOF. Pics at the link.

Alvin B. Krongard Elected: 1980 Princeton University
A standout for three years at Baltimore's City College, Alvin (Buzzy) Krongard was selected as an All-Maryland midfielder in 1954.
Buzzy went on to Princeton University where he was Third Team All-America in 1957 and Second Team All-America in 1958. While at Princeton he was First Team All-Ivy in 1957 and 1958 and played on the Ivy League Championship teams in the same years.

As a premiere face-off man, Buzzy played for the Mt. Washington Lacrosse Club . . .


Howard J. Krongard Elected: 1985 Princeton University
"Cookie" Krongard's distinguished lacrosse career started at Baltimore City College, where his goaltending led the school to championships in 1956 and 1957.
He played on Princeton's undefeated Ivy League Championship teams from 1959-1961 and earned First Team All-American honors in 1961. Krongard was also a First Team All-Ivy selection his last two years at Princeton.

His extensive club lacrosse career began with the Boston Club in 1962 and continued with four other teams, including seven years with . . .

http://www.uslacrosse.org/museum/halloffame/list_alpha.php?letter=K

[ChairmanAgnostic]

12. one thing that is becoming obvious, slowly, but surely,

is that these rats cannot deal with the spotlight. It may take a little time (Gonzo), it may take some effort (the firing of US attys), and it may take blogging about it, but after a while, they jump ship and save themselves. That will happen to Krongard, as well as others.

It also tells us something else. We cannot simply rely on the democrats in office. (Waxman, Leahy notwithstanding) We cannot rely on the media. WE ARE THE ONES who bring these stories up and force them into the public eye.

[SlowDownFast]

14. Yup. What you said.

WE are the ones.

That cannot be stressed enough.

[defendandprotect]

21. Yes, but Leahy and Waxman are dreaming if they think they can handle this themselves . . ..

We need special prosecutors . . .

Our government has been reduced and debilitated so much that it can't properly respond to this level of corruption -- !!!!

PLUS trying to deal with treason and criminals within government is more difficult than fighting an outside enemy --

[ChairmanAgnostic]

23. great points, how true.

If we threw out the AIPAC and Neocons, to start with, had a serious, even-handed sit-me-down with israel and Palestine, sat and talked to Iran, I suspect our defense spending could be cut by 1/3 without a blink of an eye.

[defendandprotect]

31. Sincerely agree; at the time Powell and Rice took over, they citing the fact that we had no enemies!

Didn't take long for the warmongers/warprofiteers to get going -- !!!

They should call this era -- "Gone with the Wind" -- re our surplus and peace ---

[budibudinski]

13. Each and every stone Waxman peeks under reveals another link and

proof that the maze set in place by Bush & Co was done so to overthrow the US Government via a bogus election, create for themselves protection from future prosecution by placing key cronies in appropriate positions who would allow laws to be changed to aid this effort, and all for the sole purpose of monetary profit.
They succeedd at the biggest money grab in history, and they will walk away with their wealth hidden and secure.

I hope Waxman continues to turn over rock after rock until he has proof that their intent was not to govern but to profit.
I hope he links one after another of the Bush Mofia family, and someday exposes it all with proof of their dirty deeds.
Its a long way to the top of the Bush crime family, but what has taken place in our Nation these past years is so criminal that is absolutely must be revealed.
I do not see Sen. Henry Waxman letting any of this rest. He will methodically do his job a a civil servant to this Nation, as a moral man, until he has built a case and can one day prosecute for crimes against the United States of America and its people.
The Hague can have Bush after that.

[SlowDownFast]

15. Very astute observations

and well put.

"biggest money grab in history...", indeed.

Welcome to DU, bud. Hope to see more of your postings.

[budibudinski]

16. Thanks..I have much to say. lol

Can't wait to get my posts up so I can access more of this outstanding site.

I would know little about how Bush has taken this Nation for a ride, if not for the steady intellectual sleuths here on DU.

I know where my loyalty lies.

Its up to people like us, who truely are examples of American Patriotism, to continue calling the Bush crime family on every move they make.
Trust that many, many who hold certain powers to disassemble the web of deceit lain out by Bush, DO INDEED READ DU.

We are necessary.
Thanks

[jaysunb]

17. welcome to DU !

you'll have plenty of posts before you know it. :hi:

[Patsy Stone]

30. Welcome to DU!

:hi: and that was a great post above.

[defendandprotect]

19. Unfortunately, this will take a dozen or more Waxman's . . ..

[BornagainDUer]

18. Howard and Buzzy Krongard and Prescott Bush....

State Department Inspector General Howard Krongard is brother of ex-CIA Executive Director A. B. "Buzzy" Krongard, alumnus of Prescott Bush's Alex Brown Bros.

http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/sitemap





SUPPRESSED DETAILS OF CRIMINAL INSIDER TRADING LEAD DIRECTLY INTO THE CIA's HIGHEST RANKS

CIA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR "BUZZY" KRONGARD MANAGED FIRM THAT HANDLED "PUT" OPTIONS ON UAL



http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/10_09_01_krongard.html

[defendandprotect]

20. Aha . . . YES! That's exactly what I was going to look up . . ..

The connection to insider trading and 9/11 . . . .

Surprise!!!

[xchrom]

22. recommend

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

24. Here is the NYT version of the same story - see if one sentence doesn't leap off the page

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/18/washington/18cnd-inspect.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

I will wait for replies as to what the one weird sentence is.

[Trillo]

29. "illegally smuggling weapons into Iraq."

in possible reference to Blackwater USA.

[lonestarnot]

25. Waxman, whatcha gona do when they won't cough up the documents?

Lawmakers are boycotting laws these days, noncompliance with subpoenas, nonproduction of documents, the power of Congress and its committees appears to have usurped.

[Bushwick Bill]

26. Henry, how about a Sibel Edmonds investigation?

Otherwise, STFU about your hard hitting fake BS.

[paulk]

27. he's doing a good job

how 'bout you STFU with such stupid shit.

[Bushwick Bill]

28. OK...

ask the guru, Lukery. You're obviously out of the loop.
http://lukery.dailykos.com/
http://sibeledmonds.blogspot.com/
http://wotisitgood4.blogspot.com/

Waxman won't touch this because it would hit a few Democrats. The bipartisan coverup continues.

[paulk]

32. so... you've got one issue

bfd.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

33. US State Department Investigator Target of Congressional Probe

Source: VOICE OF AMERICA

US State Department Investigator Target of Congressional Probe
By VOA News
19 September 2007


A U.S. congressman has opened an investigation into the actions of a top U.S. State Department official accused of blocking investigations into government fraud and abuse in Iraq and Afghanistan.

California Democrat Henry Waxman, who chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, informed State Department Inspector General Howard Krongard of the probe Tuesday in a lengthy letter. Waxman says the allegations were made by several former and current investigators on Krongard's staff.

An inspector general is intended to act as an independent internal investigator of a government agency. Congressman Waxman says it appears Krongard believes his "foremost mission" is to support the Bush administration.

Read more: http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-09-19-voa40.cfm

---

IS THIS GUY RELATED TO THE CIA Krongard AND THE 911 STOCK TRANSACTIONS?

[Drum]

34. Helloooo...if Congress won't attend to it's grievous backlog of subpoenas,

none of these clowns will be brought to justice...nobody will.

Go Congress, go Waxman---make 'em all appear, and under oath!

:patriot:

[Nostradammit]

35. I think that was A. B. "Buzzy" Krongard

A different crook.