Andrew J. Moonen
Encyclopedia
Andrew J. Moonen is a former employee of Blackwater Security, accused by the Iraq
government of murdering Raheem Khalif, a security guard of the Iraqi Vice-president, Adel Abdul Mahdi. Khalif died from three gunshot wounds. Moonen, originally from Kalispell, Montana
, in the US, served previously in the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army
; he received an honorable discharge. In the wake of the killing, the United States State Department and Blackwater USA
had attempted to keep his identity secret for security reasons. Currently, Moonen lives in Seattle, Washington Responding to claims of company-wide negligence, Erik Prince
, the company's founder, said “when we found knucklehead behavior, we fired them.”
The employee was identified on October 4, 2007 by the New York Times as Andrew J. Moonen, of Seattle, Washington, and federal law enforcement is investigating the case, which the Iraqi government considers a murder. In Congressional hearings on October 2, 2007, Blackwater USA CEO Erik Prince testified that Moonen was fired for "violating alcohol and firearm policy."
Despite the Blackwater incident, Moonen found subsequent employment. From February to August 2007, he was employed by US Defense Department contractor Combat Support Associates (CSA) in Kuwait. In April 2007, the US Department of Defense tried to call him back to active duty, but cancelled the request because Moonen was overseas.
report noted the largely unaccountable and unsupervised nature of security contractor activities, and the high number of casual or indiscriminate civilian killings attributed to them. According to the State Department, on December 24, 2006, a drunken Blackwater employee shot and killed a bodyguard who was protecting the Iraqi vice president. Within 36 hours, Blackwater USA had arranged with the U.S. State Department to have Moonen flown from Iraq. The US State Department was aware of the incident and recommended that a $250,000 payment be made to the victim's family. They offered to pay out $15,000, which the State Department agreed to. The Blackwater employee was fired but no criminal charges were brought against him initially.
opened a criminal investigation of murder charges against Moonen due to the outcry from Iraqis over the shooting death of the Iraqi man, in October 2007. On October 5, 2007, House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Henry Waxman
wrote a letter to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
requesting Moonen's personnel records. In an October 18, 2010 press release, the US attorney closed the investigation and noted that they had declined prosecution stating "...after reviewing all the available evidence and considering possible affirmative
defenses, such as self defense, prosecutors have concluded there is not sufficient evidence to obtain and sustain a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt. That high standard must be met to bring a criminal case."
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
government of murdering Raheem Khalif, a security guard of the Iraqi Vice-president, Adel Abdul Mahdi. Khalif died from three gunshot wounds. Moonen, originally from Kalispell, Montana
Kalispell, Montana
Kalispell is a city in and the county seat of Flathead County, Montana, United States. The 2010 census put Kalispell's population at 19,927 up 5,704 over 2000. At 40.1% this is the largest percentage of growth of any incorporated city in Montana. Kalispell is the largest city and commercial center...
, in the US, served previously in the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
; he received an honorable discharge. In the wake of the killing, the United States State Department and Blackwater USA
Blackwater USA
Xe Services LLC, better known by its former names, Blackwater USA and Blackwater Worldwide, is a private military company founded in 1997 by Erik Prince and Al Clark.. Xe is currently the largest of the U.S. State Department's three private security contractors...
had attempted to keep his identity secret for security reasons. Currently, Moonen lives in Seattle, Washington Responding to claims of company-wide negligence, Erik Prince
Erik Prince
Erik Dean Prince is the founder and formerly the sole owner of the private military company Xe Services LLC, formerly Blackwater Worldwide. On March 2, 2009, Prince announced that he was stepping down as CEO of Xe. He is currently living abroad in the United Arab Emirates, where he is creating a...
, the company's founder, said “when we found knucklehead behavior, we fired them.”
The employee was identified on October 4, 2007 by the New York Times as Andrew J. Moonen, of Seattle, Washington, and federal law enforcement is investigating the case, which the Iraqi government considers a murder. In Congressional hearings on October 2, 2007, Blackwater USA CEO Erik Prince testified that Moonen was fired for "violating alcohol and firearm policy."
Despite the Blackwater incident, Moonen found subsequent employment. From February to August 2007, he was employed by US Defense Department contractor Combat Support Associates (CSA) in Kuwait. In April 2007, the US Department of Defense tried to call him back to active duty, but cancelled the request because Moonen was overseas.
Shooting incident
On August 12, 2007, an MSNBCMSNBC
MSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
report noted the largely unaccountable and unsupervised nature of security contractor activities, and the high number of casual or indiscriminate civilian killings attributed to them. According to the State Department, on December 24, 2006, a drunken Blackwater employee shot and killed a bodyguard who was protecting the Iraqi vice president. Within 36 hours, Blackwater USA had arranged with the U.S. State Department to have Moonen flown from Iraq. The US State Department was aware of the incident and recommended that a $250,000 payment be made to the victim's family. They offered to pay out $15,000, which the State Department agreed to. The Blackwater employee was fired but no criminal charges were brought against him initially.
United States Congress memo of incident
A memo dated October 1, 2007, from the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform detailed the incident that led to the death of the Raheem Khalif:- “On December 24, 2006, a 26-year-old Blackwater security contractor shot and killed a 32-year-old security guard to Iraqi Vice President Adil Abd-al-Mahdi during a confrontation in the ‘Little Venice’ area of the International Zone in Baghdad. This incident sparked an angry reaction from the Iraqi government.
- “According to documents obtained by the Committee, the Blackwater contractor, who worked as an armorer, had attended a party on the evening of December 24, had consumed several alcoholic beverages and was described as drunk by witnesses who encountered him that evening.
- “The Blackwater contractor, carrying a Glock 9 mm pistol, passed through a gate near the Iraqi Prime Minister’s compound and was confronted by the Iraqi guard, who was on duty. The Blackwater contractor fired multiple shots, three of which struck the guard, then fled the scene.
- “The Blackwater contractor fled to a guard post operated by Triple Canopy, another private military contractor. He told personnel there that he had gotten into a gunfight with Iraqis and that they were chasing him and shooting at him.
- “The guards had not heard any gunshots. He fumbled with his firearm, which was loaded, until one of the guards took it from him. Although he appeared visibly intoxicated and smelled of alcohol, he denied that he had any alcoholic beverages that evening...”
- “On December 25, the day after the shooting of the guard, Blackwater terminated the contractor from the State Department contract based on its policy against possessing a firearm while intoxicated. That same day, only hours after the shooting, Blackwater arranged to have the contractor flown out of Iraq...”
- ""Following the incident and contrary to popular rumor, Blackwater employees individually wrote requests to the U.S. Attorney that Mooney be prosecuted. The Blackwater employees cited it was, "...the only way we can hope to maintain integrity".""
- “Immediately following the incident, the State Department determined that Blackwater should send a letter of condolence to the victim’s family along with a cash payment."
Congressional and criminal investigation
The Justice Department Domestic Security SectionDomestic Security Section
The Domestic Security Section was a component of the United States Department of Justice Criminal Division that was focused on the prosecution of significant alien smuggling organizations, complex immigration frauds, certain violent crime and firearms offenses, crimes committed under the Military...
opened a criminal investigation of murder charges against Moonen due to the outcry from Iraqis over the shooting death of the Iraqi man, in October 2007. On October 5, 2007, House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Henry Waxman
Henry Waxman
Henry Arnold Waxman is the U.S. Representative for , serving in Congress since 1975. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He is considered to be one of the most influential liberal members of Congress...
wrote a letter to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice is an American political scientist and diplomat. She served as the 66th United States Secretary of State, and was the second person to hold that office in the administration of President George W. Bush...
requesting Moonen's personnel records. In an October 18, 2010 press release, the US attorney closed the investigation and noted that they had declined prosecution stating "...after reviewing all the available evidence and considering possible affirmative
defenses, such as self defense, prosecutors have concluded there is not sufficient evidence to obtain and sustain a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt. That high standard must be met to bring a criminal case."
External links
- http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gfhT0GDGj2NR1gSKdCi6FsODXGxQD8S3BERG1
- http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/10/05/waxman.blackwater/
- http://www.tbo.com/news/nationworld/MGBQO3KKF7F.html
- http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/06/washington/06blackwater.html?ref=us
- http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=7002
- http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7008744803
- http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=38246&dcn=todaysnews
- http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?191575
- "Report Details Shooting by Drunken Blackwater Worker", New York Times.
- http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=157111