Employees Want Accused State Department Auditor Out (blocked fraud probes for political reasons)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.ksdk.com/news/world/us_world_article.aspx?storyid=129935

Created: 9/19/2007 12:23:41 PM
Last updated: 9/19/2007 4:18:10 PM

By MATTHEW LEE
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The labor union representing U.S. diplomats called Wednesday for the State Department's top auditor to step down pending the results of a congressional investigation into whether he blocked fraud probes in Afghanistan and Iraq for political reasons.

At the same time, the State Department defended the accused official, Inspector General Howard J. Krongard, saying it had no evidence that would back up the allegations.

But the union, the American Foreign Service Association, said Krongard should "surrender day-to-day control" of his office until the "grave allegations of malfeasance," including charges he ignored security lapses at the new U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, are resolved.

"The worse-case scenario in corruption is when it endangers lives," AFSA President John K. Naland said in a statement. "The worse-case scenario in public service is when the watchdog becomes the suspected violator. Both of these allegations have been leveled against Mr. Krongard.

"As long as he maintains day-to-day control, his office's ability to do its vital job with full credibility will be compromised. He should step down until the allegations are resolved one way or another," Naland said.

The statement was released a day after Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, sent Krongard a 14-page letter detailing numerous serious accusations against him lodged by seven current and former officials in his office.


FULL story at link.