Arlington National Cemetery Official Retires Amid Controversy

A top official at the center of the Arlington National Cemetery controversy has retired.

Deputy Secretary Thurman Higginbotham was placed on administrative leave last month after Army investigators found dozens of unmarked graves, urns dumped in piles of dirt and other blunders at the site.

Higginbotham submitted his retirement papers last week retroactive to July 2, The Washington Post reported.

That means Army officials probably will not be able to compel him to meet with Congress to explain the irregularities. Congress is holding a hearing on the matter in two weeks.

Higginbotham also is accused of botching contracts for the cemetery.

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