Held

Virginia-Based Contractor Held Liable, $42 Million Awarded to Former Abu Ghraib Detainees for Torture Claims

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Alexandria, Va. – In a landmark decision, a federal jury awarded $42 million in damages to three former detainees of the infamous Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, finding a Virginia-based military contractor responsible for contributing to their mistreatment during their captivity two decades ago. The verdict came after an eight-member jury deliberated on claims against CACI International Inc., a Reston, Virginia-based company. The plaintiffs, Suhail Al Shimari, Salah Al-Ejaili, and Asa’ad Al-Zubae, each received $3 million in compensatory damages and an additional $11 million each in punitive damages. During the trial, the former detainees testified … Read more

Landmark Verdict: U.S. Contractor Held Liable for Torture at Abu Ghraib, Iraqis Awarded $42 Million in Damages

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Falls Church, Virginia — A Virginia jury has awarded $42 million in damages to three Iraqi men who claimed they were tortured by employees of a U.S. defense contractor at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. This ruling, reached on Tuesday, marked the first time a civilian contractor has been found legally accountable for such abuses, which gained global attention in the early 2000s following the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The plaintiffs, Suhail Al Shimari, Salah Al-Ejaili, and Asa’ad Al-Zubae, alleged in their 2008 lawsuit that they suffered severe abuses at the hands of CACI Premier … Read more

Inmate Found Dead in California State Prison, Cellmate Held for Investigation

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Vacaville, CA — A homicide at California State Prison, Solano is currently under investigation following the death of an inmate on Thursday evening, officials reported. The deceased, identified as 25-year-old Darian L. Hernandez, was found unconscious in his cell he shared with another inmate, shortly after 8 p.m. Emergency responders pronounced Hernandez dead before 9 p.m. Authorities have named Jonathan M. Perez, the other inmate in the cell, as a person of interest in the case. Following the incident, Perez, 23, was placed in restricted housing as the SOL Investigative Services Unit, coupled with the … Read more

Bay Shore School District Held Accountable for Neglecting Student Abuse Claims

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Bay Shore, NY — A recent ruling has placed the Bay Shore Union Free School District under scrutiny for its handling of sexual abuse claims lodged against Thomas Bernagozzi, a former teacher in the district. The court has found the district liable for negligence in addressing the allegations, marking a significant turn in a case that has captured local concern and raised questions about oversight in educational institutions. Details emerged that the district allegedly overlooked repeated signals and accusations that pointed to Bernagozzi’s misconduct over the years. This oversight, as court documents suggest, may have … Read more