U.S. Head of Afghan Aid Oversight Resigns

The office that oversees billions in aid to Afghanistan will be without a chief for the second time this year, as its leader announced Thursday he was stepping down.

Herbert Richardson, acting special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction (SIGAR), said he will take a job in the private sector after he leaves his government post on September 2.

"After more than 37 years of public service, I've decided to accept an opportunity in the private sector at a time when I'm convinced SIGAR has changed course, is producing results and is being led effectively by the new leadership team that I've put in place," said Richardson.

Created by Congress, SIGAR is tasked with investigating and leading audits of the more than $62 billion in aid distributed by the United States to Afghanistan since 2002.

The organization's previous manager was dismissed in January after lawmakers criticized SIGAR for failing to properly uncover misuse of the aid money.

A SIGAR report published last month revealed that funds Washington poured into Afghanistan for aid could be financing corruption and going to extremist groups because the money was not traceable.