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The government awards contracts to companies with histories of misconduct such as contract fraud and environmental, ethics, and labor violations. In the absence of a centralized federal database listing instances of misconduct, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is providing such data. We believe that it will lead to improved contracting decisions and public access to information about how the government spends hundreds of billions of taxpayer money each year on goods and services. Report an instance of misconduct »

Blackwater USA

Albazzaz v. Blackwater (Sept. 9, 2007 Baghdad Shooting)

Date: 12/19/2007 (Date of Filing)

Misconduct Type: Human Rights

Enforcement Agency: Non-Governmental

Contracting Party: State Dept.

Court Type: Civil

Amount: Undisclosed

Disposition: Settlement

Synopsis: The families of Ali Hussamaldeen Albazzaz, Kadhum Kayiz Aziz, and Sa’ad Raheem Jarallah, who were killed when Blackwater personnel fired on bystanders in and around Al Watahba Square in Baghdad on Sept. 9, 2007, filed a lawsuit against the company. The lawsuit, which was later joined by four other Iraqis who were injured in the incident, alleged Blackwater employees fired without justification, violating the federal Alien Tort Statute and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), and were liable for assault and battery, wrongful death, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligent hiring, training and supervision and and tortious spoliation of evidence. This and six other lawsuits alleging abuses by Blackwater in Iraq were settled in January 2010. The terms of the settlement are confidential.