Waxman: I.G. staffers threatened

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., Friday accused the State Department inspector general’s office of trying to thwart an investigation by threatening senior staff.

In a letter to Howard Krongard, Waxman -- the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform -- said two staffers have reported being warned that cooperating with the congressional investigation could cost them their jobs.

"I am appalled by these reports," Waxman wrote. "As an Inspector General, you hold a position of special trust within the federal government. Your office is supposed to be an example of how to protect whistleblowers, not an example of how to persecute them."

Waxman plans to investigate allegations that Krongard protected the Bush administration and covered up fraud and waste by private contractors in Iraq, especially on the construction of the new U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

One staffer said Krongard's congressional liaison, Terry Heide, told him Democrats in Congress "are not our friends." Heide acknowledged meeting with staff members but denied threatening them.