Waxman: State Dept Official Censored Reports On Iraq Fraud (Congress, spokeswoman, Afghanistan)

[JoeP]

State IG Accused of Averting Probes

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

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 embassy, whose cost of more than $600 million has made it the most expensive U.S. diplomatic mission in the world, has been the subject of repeated congressional questioning and allegations of wrongdoing in both construction and hiring practices.

State IG Accused of Averting Probes - washingtonpost.com

[GregW]

Corruption in the State Department! Oh, my. I can barely believe this positively incestuous bunch would cover up potential embarrassments

[KerrTown]

I'm not suprised that there is a lot of corruption. Iraq has provided an opportunity to give the cronies kickbacks at taxpayer expense. How the HELL did an embassy cost $600 million to build? A department store doesn't cost that much to construct.