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November 16, 2007
'Family Feud' in the Making for CSPAN!
Brothers Howard "Cookie" Krongard and "Buzzy" Krongard may find their family feud wheeled out into the public when Congress holds a hearing to decide whether or not Cookie told the truth under sworn testimony on Wednesday.
Cookie first said that his brother had no ties to Blackwater before the House Committee on Government Oversight and Reform.... He then said yes, indeed, his brother was affiliated with the private security firm that Cookie was charged with investigating.
Committee Chairman Henry "Inquisitor-in-Chief" Waxman now notes that there were a number of other discrepancies between Howard Krongard's testimony and what the Justice Department and senior officials in the Inspector General’s office told the Committee.
"This is a serious matter given Howard Krongard's position as the Inspector General of the State Department. I expect the Committee to hold a hearing during the week of December 3, 2007, to provide members the opportunity to assess whether the Inspector General provided truthful testimony to the Committee. "
Waxman also sent a letter to Buzzy Krongard requesting an interview and documents relating to his communications with Cookie about Blackwater. After receiving the letter, Buzzy Krongard called Committee staff and provided information that differed significantly from Cookie's testimony.
Buzzy Krongard stated that Howard Krongard called him specifically to ask about any relationship he had with Blackwater "in preparation for his testimony" to the Committee. Buzzy Krongard stated: "He asked me whether I had any financial interest or any ties to Blackwater, and so I told him ‘I'm going on their Board.'" According to Buzzy Krongard, "He responded by saying, 'Why would you do that?' and 'Are you sure that's a good idea?'" Buzzy Krongard then said, "I told him that was my decision, not his, and that we just differed on that."Buzzy Krongard stated that during the Committee hearing, he was at home watching it live. He listened to Howard Krongard's prepared opening statement. Then, he heard Howard Krongard offer spontaneously the comment that his brother had no connection to Blackwater. Buzzy Krongard said: "You could have blown me over." During the hearing, he attempted to reach Howard Krongard by telephone. Before he could reach him, Buzzy Krongard received a call from Howard Krongard and explained again that he was a member of the Board.
Waxman's letter to his committee members is here.
Posted by davidphinney at November 16, 2007 06:27 PM
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