The family of former Navy SEAL Glen Doherty has filed a claim against the U.S. State Department and Central Intelligence Agency claiming inadequate security at the US Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. As we have previously reported in June, the State Department Inspector General concluded that “none of the six security contractors selected for review fully performed all vetting requirements contained in the [contract]. Inadequate oversight of the local guard vetting process places embassies and personnel at risk.”
Glen Doherty is a former Navy SEAL that grew up in Winchester, Massachusetts. In September of 2011, he was one of 4 Americans killed at the US consulate in Benghazi. According to an investigation, none of the local guard force, all employed by an American security firm, fired a single shot at militants attacking the embassy.
The Inspector General’s report does not name the contractor but our review of General Services Administration records suggests that contractors providing embassy security are Aegis Defense Services, DynCorp International, EOD Technology, Global Strategies Group (Integrated Security), International Development Solutions, SOC LLC, Torres International Services and Triple Canopy. It is unknown if any of these companies were responsible for security at Benghazi.
Doherty’s wife seeks $1 million in damages. A separate claim was filed by his friend and executor and also seeks $1 million in damages. Both claims say that the government didn’t provide enough security. According to a story in the Army Times, both the State Department and CIA declined to comment.
The family attempted to resolve their claims privately with the government but met with no success. Earlier this year five members of Congress urged CIA Director John Brennan to assist the Doherty family. “We must ensure that Mr. Doherty’s service to his country is honored appropriately, and that his family’s sacrifice is recognized,” read a letter signed by U.S. Senators Kelly Ayotte, Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren and Representatives Katherine Clark and Jackie Speier .
Doherty’s family and estate is seeking compensation from the government. We are seeking to speak with co-workers of Glen Doherty or others with knowledge of embassy security problems involving private contractors.
The federal False Claims Act allows people with original source (inside) information involving fraud or losses to a government program to bring an action in the name of the government. Should the government collect, the person bringing the claim can earn up to 30% of whatever the government collects. Because damages can be tripled, whistleblower awards are often in the millions.
We represent whistleblowers in some of the largest cases ever filed in the United States. Our mission is to both stop fraud and to ensure that our clients receive the maximum whistleblower amount allowed by law.
In the case of embassy security, whistleblowers are potentially also saving lives. Failing to screen guards, billing for security services not performed and overworking guards expose our brave American women and men to unnecessary risks.
—
Think you have information? Talk to one of our whistleblower lawyers today. For more information, contact attorney Brian Mahany at or by telephone at (414) 704-6731 (direct). All inquiries kept in strict confidence.