Attorney asks for $145M in rape case

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Closing arguments are underway in the trial against former military contractor KBR. Former KBR employee Jamie Leigh Jones claims she was raped by co-workers while in Iraq in 2005.

Until now, damages have been unspecified, but during closing arguments on Thursday morning Jones' attorney laid out damages in this case they believe are set at about $145 million.

Jones claims she was raped and beaten shortly after arriving to Camp Hope in Iraq in 2005. Her lawsuit claims KBR, in addition to her alleged attackers, are at fault for creating a hostile work environment.

In court on Thursday, Jones' attorney said this was bigger than Jones' case and that the corporations were watching to see what kind of rules they had to follow. He told the jury, "We are well past rape. We all know Jamie was raped."

KBR's attorney responded directly to that claim as he began his closing arguments, saying, "I did not get that memo. I do not agree with that statement."

The attorney continued by explaining why they do not believe Jones was raped.

As for the $145 million, her attorney say that takes into account past and future lost wages, emotional anguish, medical issues and also the discussion about whether or not KBR created that hostile work environment and acted to put an end to the situation.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

iraq, local, elissa rivas

View the original article here