So the State Dept. IG, Krongard, had NO previous State Dept. experience?!

[babylonsister]

I'm experiencing a bit of deja vu here.


State IG Accused of Averting Probes

By Glenn Kessler and Karen DeYoung
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, September 19, 2007; Page A21

Howard J. Krongard, the State Department's inspector general, has repeatedly thwarted investigations into contracting fraud in Iraq and Afghanistan, including construction of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, and censored reports that might prove politically embarrassing to the Bush administration, the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform charged yesterday in a 13-page letter.

snip//

A statement released by Krongard's office said he had just completed a visit to Afghanistan and was "en route to Baghdad for the remainder of September." In the statement, he described the allegations as "replete with inaccuracies including those made by persons with their own agendas" and said he looks forward to the opportunity to respond fully to the committee. White House spokeswoman Dana Perino referred questions to the State Department, where spokesman Sean McCormack said he had not yet seen Waxman's letter.

The letter alleges that Krongard "interfered with ongoing investigations to protect the State Department and the White House from political embarrassment." It said that "your strong affinity with State Department leadership and your partisan political ties have led you to halt investigations, censor reports and refuse to cooperate with law enforcement agencies."

The Senate confirmed President Bush's nomination of Krongard, who had no previous State Department experience, in May 2005. He previously worked for an international law firm and had been general counsel for Deloitte & Touche in the mid-1990s. Federal Election Commission records indicate he has contributed to both parties: $1,350 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 2000, for a "roast" of then-Michigan Gov. John Engler (R), and $1,000 to Democratic presidential candidate Bill Bradley in 1999. Krongard's brother, A.D. "Buzzy" Krongard, served as the No. 3 CIA official under then-Director George J. Tenet.

more...

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

[MessiahRp]

1. Are you really surprised?

:cough: Brownie....

Rp

[babylonsister]

2. No, and he's doing his job according to wh specs. But for such

a high profile job, you'd think they'd try to find someone with a bit of experience. Guess that's too much to ask.

[tanyev]

3. No, but he and his brother Buzzy are both members of the Natl Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

That's got to count for something.

[babylonsister]

4. I was waiting for the 'they stayed in a Holiday Inn'! nt