Ill. judge won't toss torture suit naming Rumsfeld

[Ghost in the Machine]

Ill. judge won't toss torture suit naming Rumsfeld
Posted: Mar 05, 2010 9:16 PM EST
Updated: Mar 06, 2010 2:36 AM EST

By MIKE ROBINSON
AP Legal Affairs Writer
CHICAGO (AP) - A federal judge refused Friday to dismiss a civil lawsuit accusing former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld of responsibility for the alleged torture by U.S. forces of two Americans who worked for an Iraqi contracting firm.

U.S. District Judge Wayne R. Andersen's ruling did not say the two contractors had proven their claims, including that they were tortured after reporting alleged illegal activities by their company. But it did say they had alleged enough specific mistreatment to warrant hearing evidence of exactly what happened.

Andersen said his decision "represents a recognition that federal officials may not strip citizens of well settled constitutional protections against mistreatment simply because they are located in a tumultuous foreign setting."

Andersen did throw out two of the lawsuit's three counts but gave former contractors Donald Vance and Nathan Ertel the green light to go forward with a third count alleging they were unconstitutionally tortured under procedures personally approved by Rumsfeld.

In Washington, Justice Department spokesman Charles Miller said by telephone only that the department, which is representing Rumsfeld in the suit, "is reviewing the court's decision."

http://www.wrcbtv.com/global/story.asp?s=12093834

[upi402]

1. Big kick!

:kick: