Excessive force claim is denied by security firm Blackwater's president

Published on Saturday 29 January 2011 15:22

THE former president of the security firm Blackwater has denied in sworn testimony that the company's contractors regularly used excessive force in Iraq or that officials falsified travel documents.

Gary Jackson said in a deposition for a civil lawsuit in December that he believes both claims were false.

Two former Blackwater employees, Brad and Melan Davis, have accused the company's workers of using extreme force and improperly invoicing for travel costs. Blackwater has since changed its name to Xe.

Jackson declined to answer several questions during the deposition, exercising his constitutional right not to incriminate himself. Jackson's lawyers advised him to refuse to answer when questions came close to the scope of a criminal case against him.

A federal grand jury in North Carolina indicted Jackson and others last year on weapons charges.

Brad Davis contended in court documents that he witnessed contractors using unjustified force to "kill or seriously injure innocent Iraqi civilians". He said the workers did not stop to see whether the civilians had been hurt or killed.

Susan Burke, for the Davises, asked Jackson if the company repeatedly used excessive force.

"My belief is that it is an absolute falsehood," Jackson replied, according to the deposition posted on the website of Burke's law firm. Jackson stepped down as president of the firm at the end of 2008.

Asked whether travel documents were falsified, Jackson offered a similar answer: "My belief is that it is completely incorrect."

Lawyers did not question Jackson about the more shocking allegations in the federal lawsuit filed in Virginia. The lawsuit claimed that Blackwater sought reimbursement for a prostitute for workers in Afghanistan and strippers in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Burke declined to comment. A lawyer for Jackson did not return a call seeking comment.

Xe was purchased last year by investor consortium USTC Holdings.