Former Houstonian Testifies About Alleged Rape In Iraq

WASHINGTON -- A congressional committee is looking into allegations of a woman raped in Iraq while she was working for a Houston-based company, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.

Former Conroe resident Jamie Leigh Jones went before the House committee on crime, terrorism and homeland security to tell her story of alleged gang rape and injustice while working as a contract worker in Iraq.

"I took two sips from the drink and don't remember anything after that. The next morning, I was extremely sore between my legs and in my chest. I was groggy and confused," Jones said.

She told the House panel that in 2005, she was drugged and sexually assaulted by Halliburton and KBR co-workers while at Camp Hope in Baghdad.

Jones filed a federal lawsuit against her attackers, the company and the U.S. government.

More than two years after the attack, she said no one has been prosecuted in her case.

"I was later interviewed by two Halliburton supervisors and it was made clear to me that I had essentially two choices -- one, 'Stay and get over it,' or two, 'Go home with no guarantee of a job either in Iraq or Houston,'" Jones said.

She also said she is not alone and has heard from 11 other women with similar stories of violation with resolution.

"The problem goes way beyond just me. Through the Jamie Leigh Foundation, numerous other people have contacted me who have been assaulted and raped, then retaliated against for reporting those attacks," Jones said.

"For American civilian contractors, Iraq is reminiscent of the old west days and no one seems to be in charge," U.S. Rep. Ted Poe said.

Jones is demanding justice and accountability.

"What is there to stop these companies from victimizing women in the future? The United States government has to provide people with their day in court when they have they have been raped and assaulted by other American citizens," Jones said.

Members of the House panel are asking the Justice and State departments for a complete investigation into Jones' accusations, as well as action to protect American workers while contracted overseas.

"The fact that there has not been a single completed prosecution of a crime involving a contractor implicated in violent crime in Iraq is inexcusable," U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin said.

"The individuals who assaulted Jamie must be rounded up and tried by a jury. Nonfeasance by civil contracting companies cannot be tolerated and victims must get the justice they deserve because justice is what we do in America," Poe said.

There was no representative from the Department of Justice at the hearing.

Committee-members said they received notice from the DOJ on Tuesday night stating they would not be in attendance, citing the ongoing investigation.

KBR officials said they did not receive a formal invitation to attend the hearing.

Heather Browne with KBR released the following statement.

"The litigation involving Ms. Jones is ongoing. As such it would be inappropriate to comment on the specifics of either case. KBR intends to vigorously defend the allegations raised in each case, which we believe are without merit."