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Blackwater Guards on Steroids: Suit

Shooting victim's kin accuse security firm of fostering lawless culture

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 28, 2007 4:29 AM CST
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(Newser) – Private security contractor Blackwater fosters a "culture of lawlessness" among its guards, who are revved up on steroids and other "judgment-altering substances," claims a lawsuit filed by families of Iraqis killed by the guards. Plaintiffs include two survivors of a September shooting when the guards opened fire on a busy Baghdad intersection; 17 Iraqi civilians were killed.

The lawsuit accuses the guards of ignoring orders and abandoning their posts, and charges that the company sent men armed with heavy weapons onto the streets of Baghdad without testing them for drugs. Blackwater officials have strongly denied the accusations and insist that anyone known to be using illegal drugs would be immediately fired.

A lawsuit from the families of victims of a September shooting claims up to a quarter of the firm's guards use steroids or other 'judgement-altering' substances
A lawsuit from the families of victims of a September shooting claims up to a quarter of the firm's guards use steroids or other 'judgement-altering' substances   (Getty Images (by Event))
A U.S. army Black Hawk helicopter flies as the sun sets over Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007. The Iraqi government on Tuesday approved draft legislation lifting immunity for foreign private security companies, sending the measure to parliament, following a Sept. 16 shooting incident involving Blackwater USA guards that...
A U.S. army Black Hawk helicopter flies as the sun sets over Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007. The Iraqi government on Tuesday approved draft legislation lifting immunity for foreign private security...   (Associated Press)
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth C. Kohl, left, and Justice Department Attorney Stephen Ponticiello leave U.S. District Court after proceedings in the lawsuit against Blackwater Worldwide, in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007. The Justice Department is investigating whether it can bring criminal charges in the case against the private...
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth C. Kohl, left, and Justice Department Attorney Stephen Ponticiello leave U.S. District Court after proceedings in the lawsuit against Blackwater Worldwide, in Washington,...   (Associated Press)
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Blackwater witnesses testify
Associated Press

 
Iraq • Blackwater • lawsuit • mercenaries • Iraq contractors

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