http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/6762491.html

KBR worker reportedly raped at base in Iraq

Houston-based firm helping Army investigation

By JAMES PINKERTON

HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Dec. 9, 2009, 11:14PM

An American woman working for Houston-based KBR at a U.S. military base in Iraq was reportedly raped and beaten so badly by a base worker she had to be hospitalized, and while KBR officials declined to provide details, they confirmed Wednesday they are cooperating in a military criminal investigation.

U.S. military officials in Iraq confirmed the Nov. 30 attack, but few details were available, including the woman’s hometown, her age or her current medical condition.

“We’ve got initial reports down here. All we know is that an incident did occur” and that it involved the rape of an American woman working for KBR at Joint Base Balad, said Lt. Brian Wierz­bicki, desk officer at the Multi-National Forces press office in Baghdad. A detailed request for information to U.S. military investigators in Iraq had not been returned as of press time.

The report of the incident at the base north of Baghdad is the latest in a series of complaints of sexual harassment and assault by women working for the international construction and services contractor.

A spokeswoman for KBR at company headquarters in Houston would not comment on the incident or provide information about the employee, but said they are cooperating with investigators in the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.

“Army CID is the lead investigating agency for this alleged incident and as such KBR cannot comment. Any further query should be directed to Army CID. KBR is cooperating with the investigation,” said Heather Browne, KBR’s di