Halliburton, KBR drop court appeal in rape case

[G_j]

Source: AP

Halliburton, KBR drop court appeal in rape case
By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI Associated Press Writer © 2010 The Associated Press

HOUSTON — Halliburton Co. and KBR Inc. have withdrawn an appeal asking the U.S. Supreme Court to block a lawsuit by a former military contractor who says she was raped by KBR co-workers in Iraq.

KBR said in a statement Monday that it withdrew the appeal to not risk violating a recently passed federal provision it called "very broad and vague," that restricts the Defense Department from doing business with companies that prohibit employees from seeking redress for certain crimes through the courts.

"As a result, KBR did not want to risk being in violation of the amendment, so the company withdrew its petition," KBR said in a statement.
Diana Gabriel, a spokeswoman for Halliburton, also confirmed the appeal was withdrawn but declined to elaborate.

Jamie Leigh Jones, of Texas, sued the companies after she says she was raped while working for KBR in Baghdad in 2005. KBR and Halliburton split in 2007.

The companies argued that Jones' contract required claims against them be settled through arbitration.
But the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans sided with Jones in September, saying her case could go to trial.

A trial date has been set for May 2011, Jones' attorney Todd Kelly said.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/business/6925286.html

[Uncle Joe]

1. No rape should be forced through arbitration.

It's about damn time they dropped it, but even this just and humane act was only done as a means to keep making more money from the government.

Thanks for the thread, G_j.

[UpInArms]

2. perhaps Jamie will find justice yet.

[laconicsax]

4. Here's hoping she does.

[Q3JR4]

7. I second that.

From what I remember reading either way Halliburton's probably going to be paying out.

Q3JR4

[Caretha]

10. I could only hope to "God"

that she owned all of Halliburton. Now that would be justice in my book

[rfranklin]

3. They don't want to get thrown off the gravy train...

This was a business decision forced on them by Al Franken.

[awoke_in_2003]

8. Good on Franken

K&R

[G_j]

9. seems so, good work Al! nt

[gimama]

5. Kick for Jamie & ALL traumatised by these criminals

thanks for posting this..

www.indiegogo.com/bush
& cheeneee,rummy,wolfy, et al

[WhiteTara]

6. thank you Senator Franken

also known as good ole Al

[DesertDiamond]

11. THANK YOU AL FRANKEN!!!! I HEART you!!!

[defendandprotect]

14. +1 --

[defendandprotect]

12. Now there's some good news . . . and must note the courage of Jamie Leigh Jones ....

a young, healthy, beautiful young woman who was assaulted by her fellow team members --

KBR said in a statement Monday that it withdrew the appeal to not risk violating a recently passed federal provision it called "very broad and vague," that restricts the Defense Department from doing business with companies that prohibit employees from seeking redress for certain crimes through the courts.



And congratulations to the Sen. Al Franken for this this new restriction --

certainly we shouldn't allow criminal corporations to continue to do

business with government -- and certainly these corporations should not be "prohibiting employees

from seeking redress for certain crimes through the courts" --

[Machiavelli]

13. Hmm...

My unit and I briefly went through Baghdad on our way out of Iraq. We always hated those civilian contractors, but this just takes the cake.

[Joey Kidd]

15. I hate that corporation and their ilk...

with a burning passion.They're noting more than mobsters.:grr:

[gimama]

18. mobsters with big ole guvment contracts..

gangsters, with MONSTER egos, NO accountability & NO conscience..
They are out of control & their work there only jeopardises OUR Military, the "Mission", the Civilians, & ALL chances for PEACE.

Cuz, Y'see, if PEACE breaks out, they don't make the big bucks;)


www.VeteransforPEACE.org
www.IVAW.org Iraq(&Afghanistan)Veterans Against war!

:patriot:

[gimama]

17. They've been evil since day 1..

You & Your Guys did well to trust Your instincts ;)
My Son got 'propositioned'(ie, attempted recruiting)
by "private armies" there..
thank GOD he also trusted HIS instincts..
He got HIS "BS Detector" from his mama!

Hey, WELCOME HOME!:patriot:
& welcome to du!

[gimama]

16. Kick & thanks again, Sen. Al!

For a "freshman" YOU are doing an awwwsome Job!

[Cartoonist]

19. Pardon my cynicism

Hal knows the SC would back them all the way. I think they dropped it because they know the fix is in anyway.

[Hekate]

20. Thank you Al Franken; so grateful he's a Senator

[No Elephants]

21. I believe we can thank Senator Franken for the law being referred to?

He did say employees of contractors could sue for rape, even if they signed away that right when hired.

I like Al!

[newspeak]

22. why do we reward KBR our money?

Wasn't there a scandal during the Yugoslavia (Bosnia-Croatia) action under Clinton? Didn't a whistleblower come forward and charged that KBR employees were holding young women (girls) prisoner and forcing them into prostitution? And now there is Miss Jones. I read she was held in a shipping crate afterwards-pleaded with her guard to use his cell phone-called her parents. Apparently KBR made it policy that employees could not have their cell phones while working. It just couldn't be because of this incident?

What's scary--while she was imprisoned-what were they going to do to her if she wouldn't agree--would they have disposed of her? Now, that's a very scary thought.

[leftynyc]

23. Thank you Senator Franken

And may those 30 republican men who voted against this bill answer to the voters and then burn in hell.

[RainDog]

24. I hope this women wins billions

and I hope she uses some of that money to elect people who don't put up with this shit.