Quantico, Virginia, June 29, 2011— Today at Arlington National Cemetery, Christopher Grey, the spokesperson for the U. S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, made the following statement during a press conference.
Secretary of the Army, John McHugh, stated a year ago that the Army was not done investigating problems at Arlington National Cemetery. We are vigorously pursuing any potential wrongdoing and, if criminal conduct is found, the Army will take appropriate action.
In support of this effort and as previously released to media, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command has conducted investigations into several allegations involving personnel and activities at Arlington National Cemetery since October 2010 at the Army’s request.
CID is and remains the lead investigative agency. We have asked for and are currently working a joint investigation with the FBI. CID will not be discussing any possible future legal proceedings today.
Army CID currently has ongoing investigations into possible criminality that includes the burial of eight sets of cremated human remains in a single location at the cemetery, improper burial reservations and possible contract fraud.
It’s critical to point out that the investigative activity ongoing today does not include the current cemetery administration, Arlington National Cemetery personnel or their activities.
In regard to the eight sets of cremated human remains, CID in coordination with ANC, and through a myriad of methods, has been able to identify 3 of the cremated remains and notifications of family members have been affected by ANC personnel. 2 of the 3 sets of those remains have been re-interred at the families’ request.
With the assistance of a Forensic Anthropologist, 1 set of the 8 cremated remains was positively identified as an “unknown” and will remain as such.
After extensive effort, CID has determined that the other 3 sets of remains unfortunately cannot be identified.
CID is still investigating and working hard to determine the identity of 1 set of cremated remains. Although we are very upset and concerned about the discovery of multiple urns in one grave, our discussions with an Assistant U.S. Attorney determined that the burial of multiple cremated remains in one grave site does not constitute a criminal violation.
More recently, 69 boxes of records relating to Arlington National Cemetery were found in a storage facility in Falls Church, VA. 68 boxes were duplicate copies of existing records and Army CID kept one box containing contract-related information. At this point, CID does not have any indication that the contents of the boxes are linked to any criminality or breach of contract and is not related to any ongoing contract fraud inquiry.
CID, along with senior Army leadership, to include the Secretary of the Army, and the new leadership at ANC, takes these issues very seriously and are fully committed to investigating all allegations and evidence, as well as any other allegations or evidence that comes to light concerning this important matter and our nation’s most hallowed ground.
CID is not releasing any further information at this time to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.