Possible interest conflict at Blackwater

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Private security firm Blackwater Worldwide says it has no ethical concerns about recruiting a board member related to a U.S. State Department watchdog.

State Department Inspector General Howard Krongard recused himself Wednesday from the investigation into the Sept. 16 Blackwater shootings in Baghdad that left 17 Iraqi civilians dead after it was revealed that his brother had accepted a position on the company's advisory board, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

Alvin Krongard said his brother was aware of his position as an adviser to Blackwater before the issue was raised by a congressional committee.

He said he does not consider his position to be a conflict of interest.

"My opinion is that's an incredible insult to my brother's integrity," said Alvin Krongard. "If I'm on the board why would that matter to my brother? I have no financial interest in Blackwater."

Blackwater spokeswoman Anne Tyrrell said the firm has no plans to remove Krongard from the advisory board.

"We don't see a conflict of interest," she said.