The Associated Press
©
The family of an Iraqi bodyguard slain by a Blackwater security guard on Christmas Eve 2006 has filed suit against the company, alleging that poor oversight and a cowboy culture led to the shooting.
The 11-page lawsuit was filed late Thursday in federal district court in California by a team of U.S. attorneys for the widow of Raheem Khalaf Sa'adoon.
Anne Tyrrell, spokeswoman for the defense contractor now known as Xe, said the complaint is a publicity stunt "riddled with errors."
The suit is the latest legal challenge to the Moyock, N.C.-based defense contractor for its guards' actions in Iraq.
The suit gives the following account of the shooting and its aftermath: Blackwater guard Andrew Moonen drank heavily at a party in an area of Baghdad known as Little Venice. Several other Blackwater guards attended and saw Moonen, intoxicated, leave the party with a company-issued Glock handgun. Moonen became lost on his way home and came across Sa'adoon, on duty as a guard for an Iraqi vice president. Moonen pulled his handgun and fired at Sa'adoon, "killing him for no reason."
Company leaders destroyed documents and other evidence after the shooting, according to the complaint.
Stewart Riley, an attorney for Moonen, said his client felt threatened, fired, and immediately ran to a guard post to report the incident.
"He fired in self-defense," Riley said.
Moonen has not been charged with a crime. However, Riley told reporters in January that federal prosecutors sent him a letter saying they intend to charge him in the killing.
Moonen now lives in Seattle and works as a prison guard, according to the complaint.
Susan Burke, attorney for the widow, a 32-year-old Iraqi woman with two boys, said the family received a $20,000 payment from the company but expected more. The suit seeks an unspecified amount for the family and punitive damages against Xe.
This is the third lawsuit her firm, Burke O'Neil in Washington, D.C., has filed against the company. Two others, active in federal district court in the District of Columbia, also allege that reckless behavior by Blackwater guards led to the deaths of Iraqi civilians.
"There's a real pattern here," Burke said. "A real disregard for human life."
Tyrrell said the incident happened while Moonen was off duty and was investigated by the military. The company fined and fired Moonen for violating terms of his contract and the company's alcohol policy, she said.
The company cooperated with investigators, she said. "If it is determined that he acted unlawfully, we strongly support holding him accountable."
Louis Hansen, (757) 446-2322, louis.hansen@pilotonline.com
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Lawsuit
Noonen should be charged with murder...I completely agree. But what does that have to do with Xe (Blackwater)? He was not on duty, violating policy on both weapons and drinking. The only thing that they have the authority to do is to fire him (they did), and send him home (they did). They could not hold him as they are not law enforcement. Their actions were limited by the State department contract. It has been up to the State department and the Justice department to prosecute him. They are the ones who have waited forever to do their job!
BW even RECOMMENDED to the State department that his clearance and passport be pulled but he was back in Iraq working for another company within six months! Why did the press not cover that item!
Anne & Emmett Tryell
Anne is Emmett's daughter. Lying is genetic.
Ambulance chasers!
This entire issue should be handled by the State Department and the Military. If there is a basis for prosecution then they, not private ambulance chasing attorney's, should handle it. Using her rationale every Iraqi will be suing us for damages! Just another bottom feeder looking for a free meal. This is a very dangerous precedent.
Xw Continued
It would seem to me that Xe has shown a "Pattern of recklessness" ever since they have been in my part of the world. It wasn't the residents who wanted them here, and evidently Iraq had all they could stand of them there, so to hear something else has happened Re: Xe doesnt surprise me.
Xe
So, in this case a drunk shot somebody while wandering in Baghdad...no wonder Xe got themselves thrown bodily out of the country. It's this type of behavior that makes me wish we could throw them out of Camden/Currituck
It must suck to be Anne
It must suck to be Anne Tyrrell constantly having to defend her employers many misdeeds. If you can put a positive spin on the actions of Blackwater there isnt much you cant do. Im sure Mr. Moonen must be encouraged by all the support he is getting from his former employer.
Xe
Blackwater can change it's name all it wants. It's still the same mercenary outfit. Remember, a leopard can't change it's spots.