Pentagon Investigator Resigning

Joseph E. Schmitz, the Defense Department's inspector general, is suspected of blocking investigations of senior Bush officials.

By T. Christian Miller, Times Staff Writer

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon's top investigator has resigned amid accusations that he stonewalled inquiries into senior Bush administration officials suspected of wrongdoing.

Defense Department Inspector General Joseph E. Schmitz told staffers this week that he intended to resign as of Sept. 9 to take a job with the parent company of Blackwater USA, a defense contractor.