Rep. Poe: KBR Gang Rape Was Not ‘An Isolated Case Of Sexual Assault’

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/13/poe-not-isolated/

Rep. Poe: KBR Gang Rape Was Not ‘An Isolated Case Of Sexual Assault’

Earlier this week, former Halliburton/KBR employee Jamie Leigh Jones revealed that in 2005 she had been “raped by multiple men at a KBR camp” in Baghdad. For the past two years, her congressman, Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), has been pushing the federal government to investigate the matter, but he “says neither the department of State nor Justice will give him answers” on the status of the investigation.

On CNN’s Lou Dobbs’ Tonight last night, Poe said that he does “not think this is an isolated case” and encouraged “other victims to notify” his office:

DOBBS: Now I know you’ve written a letter to the U.S. attorney general, Michael Mukasey, seeking his intervention in this case. Is there anything the audience of this broadcast can do so assist you?

POE: Yes, exactly. There’s something you can do. We do not think this is an isolated case of sexual assault against American citizens in Baghdad by coworkers. We want the other victims to notify my office immediately.

Watch it at link~

Frustrated by the government’s inaction, Jones is now taking her case to the civil court system, but KBR is pushing for it to be heard in “private arbitration,” without a “public record or transcript.” Halliburton has “won more than 80 percent of arbitration proceedings brought against it.”

Beyond Poe, Jones’ cause has been taken up by Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), who both wrote to Attorney General Michael Mukasey urging him to investigate her claims. Yesterday, the House Judiciary Committee announced that it will hold a hearing on Jones’ allegations next Wednesday.

Poe’s congressional office can be contacted here:
http://poe.house.gov/Contact/

[Lisa0825]

1. It's rare that I appreciate anything Poe does. I'm glad he's doing the right thing.

And good for Ms. Jones too! It takes a lot of strength to go public with her story. I hope she gets the justice she deserves and spares other women from experiencing similar fates.

[babylonsister]

2. Agree with you, and OT,

Happy Holidays, Lisa! :hi:

[Lisa0825]

3. Back atcha, sis!

:pals:

[Manifestor_of_Light]

4. Poe is a right wing jerk.

He used to be a right wing jerk of a criminal court judge.

It's pretty funny that he's having to investigate the sleazeballs he's in the same party with.

[babylonsister]

5. We know he is, so am glad he's stepping up to the plate for a change. nt