To: Joe Haban, HUD Assistant Inspector General for Investigations

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the IG Investigations community for the outstanding assistance they are providing to the investigation and the recovery of evidence related to the Columbia tragedy.

Your offices, especially your members of the Southwestern Region IG Council (SWIGC), are contributing significantly to the success of the investigation and recovery effort. Moreover, all of the individuals involved have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to the work at hand. Their efforts have been invaluable during this difficult time. I enthusiastically commend all of them for their many contributions.

As we move from the recovery to the investigative phase, we have set up sites in Houston, Lufkin and Dallas, to pursue investigations. Your staff members have contributed office space and agents to facilitate these efforts. Locating debris is paramount to determine the cause of the accident. Several indictments and arrests have been returned and more are to follow. Following up leads to locate all debris is crucial. I again applaud your staff members who are assisting us.

The US Attorney for the Southern (Mr. Shelby) and Eastern (Mr. Orwig) Districts have both contacted me to compliment the IG Agents participating in this effort. They mentioned that the level of dedication and cooperation between agencies has been tremendous. They further promised to prosecute all offenders who obstruct our efforts.

Thank you,

(s)

Lance G. Carrington,
NASA OIG,
Assistant IG for Investigations
Washington, DC 20546