Xe-Blackwater Faces New Claims Over 2007 Civilian Massacre, According to Legal Team for Iraqi Families

The new allegations against several Blackwater-related defendants - now operating as Xe and other names under the control of chairman Erik Prince - include violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). The RICO allegations include murder; destruction of audio and videotaped evidence; distribution of controlled substances (steroids); tax evasion; child prostitution; and weapons smuggling.

According to the complaint, Prince "has created an enterprise that has engaged in a series of illegal acts that suffice as RICO predicate acts extending over a substantial period of time beginning at least in 2003. The Prince RICO Enterprise continues to exist, continues to engage in repeated illegal acts, and poses a grave and special threat to the social well-being of the world."

The survivors and the estates of the civilians killed are represented by Susan L. Burke and William F. Gould, of Burke O'Neil LLC, ofWashington, D.C.; and Katherine Gallagher, of the Center for Constitutional Rights.

Susan L. Burke, of Burke O'Neil LLC, stated, "The Nisoor Square massacre was but one terrible example from Xe-Blackwater's lengthy pattern of egregious misconduct inIraq. We intend to seek a court order that requires Erik Prince to divest himself of any direct or indirect interest in the RICO Enterprise or dissolve the RICO Enterprise after making due provision for the rights of innocents, imposes reasonable restrictions on Prince's future activities or investments, and prohibits Prince from engaging in any mercenary or private military business."

Katherine Gallagher, of the Center for Constitutional Rights, stated, "This complaint alleges that Xe-Blackwater created and fostered a culture of lawlessness amongst its employees, encouraging them to act in the company's financial interests at the expense of innocent human life. The destruction and suffering caused by the defendants, controlled by Erik Prince, are contrary to the interests of the U.S. military and State Department, and the nation of Iraq."

The defendants in the amended lawsuit are Prince, Samarus CO LTD, Prince Group LLC, Xe Services LLC (formerly EP Investments LLC and d/b/a Blackwater Worldwide), Greystone Ltd, Total Intelligence Solutions LLC, Xe Services LLC, U.S. Training Center, Inc. (formerly Blackwater Lodge and Training Center, Inc.), GSD Manufacturing LLC (formerly Blackwater Target Systems), Blackwater Security Consulting LLC, and Raven Development Group LLC.

The case is "Estate of Himoud Saed Abtan, et al. v. Erik Prince, et al." (Civil Action No. 1:09-cv-617LMB-TRJ) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District ofVirginia, Alexandria Division.

Attorney Contact: Susan L. Burke, of Burke O'Neil LLC,Washington, D.C., 202.445.1409.

Media Contacts: Erin Powers, Powers MediaWorks LLC, for Burke O'Neil LLC, 281.703.6000; and Jen Nessel, the Center for Constitutional Rights, 212.614.6449.

SOURCE Burke O'Neil LLC

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