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KBR faces more rape, sexual harassment lawsuits

08:48 AM CST on Wednesday, December 12, 2007

By Jason Whitely / 11 News

Jason Whitely's 11 News report

At least four women have filed federal lawsuits claiming they, too, were either sexually harassed or raped while working as Kellogg, Brown & Root contractors in Iraq.

A Houston attorney said at least six more federal lawsuits will be filed on behalf of other women making similar accusations. Jamie Leigh Jones

’allegations surfaced Monday after a report by ABC News. Her allegations are chilling. As a contractor in Iraq this summer, the Houston woman says she was drugged and brutally raped by other KBR contractors.

Jones’ claims are laid out in detail in a federal civil suit 11News has reviewed.

11 News

Jamie Leigh Jones

Turns out, it is a story Houston-based KBR has heard before.

Jones’ allegation is not an isolated incident.

Searching through a federal database, we found a second federal lawsuit in Oklahoma, another in North Carolina, and a fourth in Florida, all from women who said they were either sexually harassed or raped while working as contractors for KBR in Iraq.

In a sworn affidavit in the Jones case, SSG Kevin Rodgers, a Texas National Guard Soldier said:

“During my tour in Basra I encountered many unprofessional acts by the employees of KBR and the U.S. State Department.”

Several others concur.

“During my time as an HR (Human Resources) supervisor, I was aware that a lot of sexual harassment went on - it was our major complaint,” admitted Letty Surman, a former KBR employee.

Finally, here is what Linda Lindsey, a former KBR employee said in her affidavit: “There was a lot of promotion based upon who was sleeping with the boss.”

KBR, facing four federal lawsuits -- and perhaps more -- issued a statement to 11News late Tuesday afternoon.

“First and foremost,” the statement read, “KBR in no way condones or tolerates any form of sexual harassment. The safety and security of all employees remains KBR’s top priority. Our commitment in this regard is unwavering. Further, each employee is expected to adhere to KBR’s Code of Business Conduct guidelines and when violations occur, immediate and appropriate disciplinary is taken.”

But with pending suits, KBR would not say much more than that it works closely with authorities and takes safety seriously.

As far as the accusations of rape, it’s uncertain whether law enforcement investigated.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Houston referred our calls to the Department of Justice in Washington. They were not immediately returned Tuesday afternoon.

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