Krongard’s brother quits as adviser to Blackwater

WASHINGTON (AP)— The brother of embattled State Department Inspector General Howard Krongard quit as an adviser to Blackwater Worldwide on Friday, two days after the relationship with the security contractor was sharply criticized by a congressional oversight committee.

Erik Prince, Blackwater’s top executive, said the conflict-of-interest questions raised by the connection prompted Alvin “Buzzy” Krongard to submit his resignation.

It’s unclear whether the move will salvage Howard Krongard’s damaged credibility and career, however. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee plans to meet in December to determine if Howard Krongard testified truthfully about his brother.

Alvin Krongard never received any payment for his work on Blackwater’s advisory board, which only met once, Prince said. Prince said there are no allegations of impropriety against Alvin Krongard for his membership on Blackwater’s board, a group recently created to help the North Carolina-based security company plan future business activities.

Blackwater is a major State Department contractor and the subject of ongoing federal investigations.