WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today sent a letter to Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn asking for an update on and an estimated timeline on completing investigations into the electrocution death of Staff Sergeant Ryan Maseth in Iraq in January 2008. Senator Casey’s letter was prompted by concerns over the slow pace of the inquiries from Staff Sergeant Maseth’s mother, Cheryl Harris.
“I now request that you provide a response on the status of Staff Sergeant Ryan Maseth’s case, both in the context of the U.S. Army CID investigation and DOD Inspector General investigation, and the expected timelines for their conclusion,” wrote Senator Casey. “Ryan Maseth was tragically killed almost 18 months ago, and the investigations have dragged on for almost that entire period of time. We as a nation owe his family an answer on what happened. Cheryl Harris’s remarkable dedication has inspired me to remain involved on this issue to demand justice and accountability for all of the families who have lost loved ones to electrocutions in Iraq.”
After learning that Staff Sergeant Maseth was killed while taking a shower in Iraq, Senator Casey began pressing the Department of Defense and KBR for answers and assurances that U.S. troops will be safe from further accidental electrocutions. He has received testimony from General Petraeus, sent letters to Gen. Petraeus and Secretary Gates, met with the KBR CEO, testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and participated in two Democratic Policy Committee hearings to increase accountability in government contracting.
Senator Casey’s advocacy helped spur the Pentagon to establish a task force on the ground in Iraq dedicated to addressing problems in electrical wiring and engaging in comprehensive inspections of every U.S. military facility in Iraq.
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June 22, 2009
The Honorable William J. Lynn III
Deputy Secretary of Defense
1010 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1010
Dear Deputy Secretary Lynn,
As you know, over the past year I have closely followed the Pentagon’s multiple investigations into the electrocutions of U.S. soldiers while serving in Iraq. My interest in this issue was sparked by the courage and perseverance of a constituent of mine, Cheryl Harris, who lost her son, Staff Sergeant Ryan Maseth, on January 2, 2008 when he was electrocuted while taking a shower at the Radwaniyah Palace Complex in Iraq.
Cheryl has been driven by an unyielding pursuit of the truth about her son’s death. Since Ryan died at the beginning of 2008, she has received three separate accounts of her son’s death, each successive account changing in key details. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Division (CID) and the Department of Defense Inspector General both have ongoing investigations into the circumstances of Ryan’s death. In addition, Ryan’s family has filed a civil lawsuit against KBR, Inc.
The U.S. Army CID closed an initial investigation into Ryan’s death on June 11, 2008, without filing any charges. However, it reopened the investigation on August 29, 2008. On December 16, 2008 a U.S. Army CID investigator emailed Cheryl to convey the news that the CID’s official classification of Ryan’s death had been changed from accidental homicide to negligent homicide.
Since that exchange, Cheryl has been told repeatedly that her son’s case would be closed soon. In an email exchange with General Rodney Johnson, the CID Commanding General, Cheryl was told she would receive an update on June 8, 2009. On this day, she received a phone call from Colonel Jeff Davies, a CID Group Commander in Atlanta. He informed her that the investigation is complete but that the Judge Advocates General are still reviewing the investigation for thoroughness, a claim that has been made to her before.
Cheryl was also informed that her efforts to reach out for additional information were slowing down the process because Army investigators would have to stop and respond to those requests. Finally, Colonel Davies told her that he could not provide a timeline for the release of final findings for this investigation. Cheryl is concerned that her family’s ongoing lawsuit against KBR may be influencing the lack of Pentagon communications with her on the status of Ryan’s investigation.
I understand the need for thoroughness and allowing justice to fully work without undue haste. But I am concerned that Cheryl Harris now believes that the U.S. Army and the Pentagon as a whole are ignoring her legitimate concerns and requests for information. Cheryl has been a dogged advocate for all soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, to ensure that no other mother be forced to endure what she has over the past eighteen months.
During our phone conversation in March, you agreed to provide me updates and milestones in multiple Department of Defense investigations. I also asked to receive a timeline for completion of these various ongoing DOD investigations. Finally, I insisted that the Pentagon adopt complete transparency and forthrightness with the families of those fallen by electrocutions. These mothers and fathers, husbands and wives are entitled to receive continuous updates and full inclusion in the investigative process as it unfolds. They deserve nothing less.
Accordingly, I now request that you provide a response on the status of Staff Sergeant Ryan Maseth’s case, both in the context of the U.S. Army CID investigation and DOD Inspector General investigation, and the expected timelines for their conclusion. Ryan Maseth was tragically killed almost 18 months ago, and the investigations have dragged on for almost that entire period of time. We as a nation owe his family an answer on what happened. Cheryl Harris’s remarkable dedication has inspired me to remain involved on this issue to demand justice and accountability for all of the families who have lost loved ones to electrocutions in Iraq.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
