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Feb 7, 2009 9:44 am US/Eastern
Contractor In Electrocution Probe Inks New Deal
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
Some people are wondering how a contractor, under investigation in the electrocution deaths of two U.S. soldiers in Iraq, could win a new multi-million dollar Pentagon contract.
"It's outrageous! It would be bad enough that they got a contract to do anything - to plant grass seed. Even that you'd question," said U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D– Pennsylvania.
Defense contractor KBR Inc. has been awarded a $35 million contract from the Army Corp of Engineers to build an electrical distribution center at Camp Adder in Southern Iraq-- even though KBR is under investigation in the electrocution deaths of at least two soldiers, including Army Staff Sergeant Ryan Maseth of Shaler.
"The Defense Department says quote, 'That they have lost or losing remaining confidence in KBR's ability to successfully and repeatedly perform the required electrical support services mission in Iraq' unquote. You gotta wonder why they would give them a $35.4 million contract," Casey said.
Senator Casey believes KBR should be punished for death of the 24-year-old Green Beret after he was electrocuted while taking a shower at his barracks in Baghdad in January of 2008.
An army investigation calls Sergeant Maseth's death a "negligent homicide" caused by KBR and two of its supervisors.
"It's outrageous! The Army Corp of Engineers has to explain to the American people why they awarded this contract," adds Casey. "And the Pentagon has to get this investigation of KBR completed. So we know what happened to these soldiers why it happened."
KBR issued this statement about the new contract:
"KBR remains committed to providing quality services to the U.S. Army and DoD for the successful completion of the Camp Adder convoy support center. KBR is proud of the work it performs and is honored to serve the troops. "
But Senator Casey says Maseth is one of 18 soldiers who have been killed as a result of these electrocutions.
For more information on the KBR contract,
read the company's press release on the new facility.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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