Who's who in Blackwater probe

Officials involved in Blackwater weapons smuggling probe:

Howard Krongard — State Department inspector general accused of impeding Justice Department investigation of allegations that Blackwater Worldwide smuggled weapons into Iraq. On Nov. 14, Krongard recused himself from any inquiries into Blackwater after it was disclosed his brother had joined the company's advisory board.

Alvin "Buzzy" Krongard — Howard Krongard's brother and former CIA official who resigned from Blackwater's advisory board on Nov. 16 due to allegations that his relationship with the company created a conflict of interest.

Brian Rubendall — Assistant special agent in charge of the State Department inspector general's office. Rubendall told congressional investigators about friction between the Justice and State departments on the Blackwater probe.

Terry Heide — Howard Krongard's director of congressional and public affairs who says she's been unfairly blamed for slowing the Blackwater weapons smuggling probe. Heide's role was to collect State Department documents for the investigators, but Krongard's own investigators saw her as a hindrance.

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif. — House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman who initiated an investigation of Howard Krongard's performance as State Department inspector general. Waxman has strongly criticized Krongard's handling of the Blackwater weapons smuggling probe.

Robert Higdon — Chief of the criminal division in the U.S. Attorney's office in eastern North Carolina. Higdon met with Howard Krongard in July and has been one of the Justice Department's lead investigators on the Blackwater investigation.

Ron Militana — Special agent for investigations in the State Department inspector general's office, who said his role in the Blackwater probe was diminished by Howard Krongard.

John DeDona — Former State Department assistant inspector general for investigations who received July 11 e-mail from Howard Krongard telling him to "IMMEDIATELY" stop work on the Blackwater probe.

William Todd — State Department deputy inspector general. Todd supported Howard Krongard's contention that he put the brakes on the Blackwater probe so it would not conflict with an audit of contracts the company has with the State Department.

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On the Net:

State Department: http://www.state.gov

Justice Department: http://www.justice.gov