HAGERMAN et al v. THE SOCIALIST PEOPLE'S LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

Filing 78

SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT against SOCIALIST PEOPLE'S LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA, LIBYAN EXTERNAL SECURITY ORGANIZATION, LIBYAN ARAB AIRLINES, ABDEL BASSET ALI AL-MEGRAHI, LAMEN KHALIFA FHIMAH, JOHN DOES #1-20 filed by ETHEL HURST, SPENCER HURST, MITCHELL HURST, SHARON HURST, ALL PLAINTIFFS, MARY DIAMOND, GWENNTH FORDE, VICTORIA PORTER, OLGA HUSBANDS, VERNON DRUSES, RANDOLPH PORTER, JAMES MULROY.(nmw, )

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ---------------------------------------------------------------x ETHEL HURST, individually and as personal representative of the Estate of Eugene Hurst; 939 Fountain Run, Naples, FL 34119; SPENCER HURST; 718 Rojean Ct., Ellisville, MO 63021; MITCHELL HURST; 1555 Royal Blvd., Glendale, CA 91207; SHARON HURST DUROSS; 770 Eagle Creek, Drive, Naples, FL 34113; MARY DIAMOND; c/o Michelle Porter, 570 E. 93rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 12236; GWENNTH FORDE; P.O. Box 1483, St. Vincent, W.I.; VICTORIA PORTER; c/o Michelle Porter, 570 E. 93rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 12236; OLGA HUSBANDS; Michelle Porter, 570 E. 93rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 12236; VERNON DRUSES; Michelle Porter, 570 E. 93rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 12236; RANDOLPH PORTER; Michelle Porter, 570 E. 93rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 12236; and JAMES MULROY; 84 Hill View Crescent Banbury, Oxon, United Kingdom, OX161BP, -againstTHE SOCIALIST PEOPLE'S LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA; LIBYAN EXTERNAL SECURITY ORGANIZATION; LIBYAN ARAB AIRLINES; ABDEL BASSET ALI AL-MEGRAHI; LAMEN KHALIFA FHIMAH; and JOHN DOES # 1-20, Defendants. ---------------------------------------------------------------x 02 CIV 2147 (HHK) SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT Plaintiffs Ethel Hurst, individually and as personal representative of the Estate of Eugene Hurst, Spencer Hurst, Mitchell Hurst, Sharon Hurst Duross, Mary Diamond, Gwennth Forde, Victoria Porter, Olga Husbands, Vernon Druses, Randolph Porter, and James Mulroy ("plaintiffs"), as and for their Second Amended Complaint allege as follows: 1. This is a proceeding for monetary damages arising out of the terrorist bombing of Pan American Flight 103 ("Pan Am Flight 103") by the defendant, the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, its instrumentalities, agents and employees. THE PARTIES 2. Plaintiff Ethel Hurst is a citizen of the United States who resides in Naples, FL. She is the mother of Roger Hurst, who was killed while an airline passenger in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. She is the widow and personal representative of Eugene Hurst, who was the father of Roger Hurst, and who died in 1994, after the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. 3. Plaintiff Spencer Hurst is a citizen of the United States who resides in Ellisville, MO. He is the brother of Roger Hurst, who was killed while an airline passenger in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. 4. Plaintiff Mitchell Hurst is a citizen of the United States who resides in Glendale, CA. He is the brother of Roger Hurst, who was killed while an airline passenger in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. 5. Plaintiff Sharon Hurst Duross is a citizen of the United States who resides in Naples, FL. She is the sister of Roger Hurst, who was killed while an airline passenger in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. 2 6. Plaintiff Mary Diamond is a citizen of the United States who resides in Brooklyn, New York. She is the mother of Walter Porter, who was killed while an airline passenger in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. 7. Plaintiff Gwenneth Forde is a citizen of the United States who resides in St. Vincent, West Indies. She is the sister of Walter Porter, who was killed while an airline passenger in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. 8. Plaintiff Victoria Porter is a citizen of the United States who resides in Brooklyn, New York. She is the sister of Walter Porter, who was killed while an airline passenger in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. 9. Plaintiff Olga Husbands is a citizen of the United States who resides in Brooklyn, New York. She is the sister of Walter Porter, who was killed while an airline passenger in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. 10. Plaintiff Vernon Druses is a citizen of the United States who resides in Brooklyn, New York. He is the brother of Walter Porter, who was killed while an airline passenger in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. 11. Plaintiff Randolph Porter is a citizen of the United States who resides in Brooklyn, New York. He is the brother of Walter Porter, who was killed while an airline passenger in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. 12. Plaintiff James Mulroy is a citizen of Great Britain who resides in Oxon, United Kingdom. He is the brother of John Mulroy and the brother of Bridget Concannon, both of whom were killed while airline passengers in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. 3 13. Defendant the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya ("Libya") is a foreign state, as defined in 28 U.S.C. § 1603(a), located in northern Africa. 14. Defendant Libyan External Security Organization, a/k/a Jamahiriya Security Organization ("JSO"), is an agency or instrumentality of Libya. The JSO is the Libyan intelligence service through which Libya conducted acts of extrajudicial killing, aircraft sabotage and other acts of terrorism, including the acts of extrajudicial killing and aircraft sabotage alleged herein. 15. Defendant Libyan Arab Airlines ("LAA") is an agency or instrumentality of Libya. The LAA is an airline owned by Libya and operated as a commercial enterprise of Libya. LAA actively and knowingly participated in its government's terrorist activities, including the acts of extrajudicial killing and aircraft sabotage alleged herein. 16. Defendants Abdel Basset Ali Al-Megrahi, a/k/a Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed, a/k/a AbdelBaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi, a/k/a "Mr. Baset," a/k/a Ahmed Khalifa Abdusamad, and a/k/a Abd al-Basit al-Megrahi ("Al-Megrahi"), and Lamen Khalifa Fhimah, a/k/a Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah and a/k/a "Mr. Lamin" ("Fhimah") are citizens of Libya and are intelligence agents or officials of Libya and its intelligence service and at times during the perpetration of the terrorist acts alleged herein were or continue to be employees of the LAA. At all relevant times, Al-Megrahi and Fhimah acted in both their official and personal capacities. 17. Defendants John Does #1-20 are employees, agents, and/or representatives of the JSO who actively and knowingly participated in Libya's terrorist activities, including, without 4 limitation, having commanded, ordered, supervised, and funded the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. OTHER RELEVANT PERSONS 18. At all relevant times, Pan American World Airways, an airline corporation registered under 49 U.S.C. § 20, provided commercial passenger air service between the United States and Europe. In December 1988, Pan American World Airways operated a leased civil aircraft bearing number N739PA. The civil aircraft bearing number N739PA was registered with the Federal Aviation Administration pursuant to federal law and operated within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. On December 21, 1988, the civil aircraft bearing number N739PA was designated by Pan American World Airways as Flight 103 ("Pan Am Flight 103"). JURISDICTION AND VENUE 19. The jurisdiction of this Court is invoked pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1330, 1331, 1332(a)(2), 1350, and 18 U.S.C. § 2333(a). Jurisdiction is also invoked pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 7 et seq., commonly known as the Special Maritime and Territorial Jurisdiction Act. 20. Libya, the JSO, LAA and the individual defendants are subject to suit in the courts of the United States pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1330, 1605(a)(7), 1605A, 1605 note and 18 U.S.C. § 2333(a). 21. Venue is proper in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(f)(4). 5 FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS 22. On December 21, 1988, Roger Hurst, Walter Porter, John Mulroy, and Bridget Concannon were passengers on board Pan Am Flight 103. The flight, which originated in Frankfurt, Germany, departed London, U.K. bound for New York's John F. Kennedy Airport. 23. At approximately 7:03 p.m. GMT, an explosive device in a suitcase placed by AlMegrahi, Fhimah and unknown others detonated. As a result of the explosion, the aircraft broke apart in Scottish airspace while at an attitude of 31,000 feet and then crashed to the ground. 24. All passengers and crew on board were killed. Eleven residents of the Scottish town of Lockerbie were also killed by falling debris. 25. The bomb which caused the crash of Pan Am Flight 103 was placed on board the aircraft and detonated by and at the direction of Libya, acting through agents of the JSO, including Al-Megrahi, Fhimah, and John Does # 1-20. Agents of the JSO, including John Does #1-20, acting on behalf and at the direction of Libya, arranged to smuggle the bomb on to Pan Am Flight 103 through Libya's airline facilities in Malta. Fhimah and AlMegrahi, with unknown others, including John Does #1-20, constructed an improvised explosive device consisting of plastic explosives containing the substances RDX and PETN, which had been purchased by Libya and provided to them by the JSO, and an MST-13 prototype digital electronic timer, which had been specially manufactured for and purchased by Libya. 6 26. This explosive device was placed and purposely concealed inside a portable Toshiba radio cassette player which was then packed inside the large, brown Samsonite suitcase brought to Malta by Fhimah and Al-Megrahi. 27. The JSO used the LAA to perpetrate and facilitate this terrorism. Covert intelligence operatives in the employ of the JSO and LAA, including Al-Megrahi and Fhimah, had access to the luggage-handling facilities of Air Malta and arranged to have the bomb sent to and placed on board Pan Am Flight 103. 28. Immediately after the bombing, news reports were broadcast throughout the United States and the world, to which plaintiffs were subjected, depicting the tragedy. Images depicting the tragedy included the burning plane, the wreckage of the site, and the recovery of the bodies. Such broadcasts continued for 24-hours a day for several days following the bombing. 29. Many family members traveled to the scene at Lockerbie in the days and weeks that followed the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. 30. On or about November 14, 1991, the United States and the United Kingdom simultaneously and in conjunction with each other filed criminal indictments against AlMegrahi and Fhimah in their capacity as Libyan agents, charging them with planning and implementing the deliberate destruction of Pan Am Flight 103 and the deaths of the 270 persons. 31. On January 31, 2001, defendant Al-Megrahi was convicted of murder of the passengers and crew on board Pan Am Flight 103, as well as the residents of Lockerbie who were killed by falling debris. The Scottish High Court of Justiciary at Camp Zeist issued its 7 opinion in Her Majesty's Advocate v. Abdelbaset Ali Mohamed Al Megrahi and Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah, Prisoners in the Prison of Zeist, Camp Zeist (Kamp van Zeist), The Netherlands, Case No. 1475/99. The Court applied the criminal standard that "before either [Al-Megrahi or Fhimah] could be convicted we would have to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt as to his guilt and that evidence from a single source would be insufficient." The Court unanimously found Al-Megrahi guilty of 270 counts of murder. The Court acquitted Fhimah due to "insufficient corroboration for any adverse inference that might be drawn from" certain circumstantial evidence. 32. The Appeal Court of the Scottish High Court of Justiciary unanimously affirmed alMegrahi’s conviction on March 14, 2002. 33. Plaintiffs incorporate by reference the decision issued by the Scottish High Court of Justiciary, including all findings of fact concluded therein, as well as the decision issued by the Appeal Court of the Scottish High Court of Justiciary. 34. The governments of the United States and the United Kingdom have concluded and affirmed that Libya bears full responsibility, through its acts and those of its instrumentalities and agents, for the deliberate destruction of Pan Am Flight 103. 35. Libya has guaranteed payment of any judgments entered against Al-Megrahi and/or Fhimah for the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. 36. On or about February 27, 1992, the Ibrahim Bishari, Secretary of Libya's People's Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation, wrote to the Secretary General of the United Nations guaranteeing "the payment of any compensation that might 8 be incurred by the responsibility of the two suspects [Al-Megrahi and Fhimah] who are its nationals in the event they are unable to pay." 37. By this language, Libya agreed to guaranty payment of any judgment rendered against its agents Al-Megrahi and Fhimah as a result of the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. 38. On August 15, 2003, the Chargé d'Affaires of the Permanent Mission of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to the United Nations issued a letter to the President of the United Nations Security Council stating that Libya "[h]as facilitated the bringing to justice of the two suspects charged with the bombing of Pan Am 103 and accepts responsibility for the actions of its officials." United Nations Doc. S/2003/818. 39. Libya, the JSO, LAA, Al-Megrahi and Fhimah conspired together and acted in concert to commit the sabotage and destruction of Pan Am Flight 103 and the extrajudicial killing of its passenger 40. In arranging for the placement and detonation of a bomb on Pan Am Flight 103, defendants intended to cause severe emotional distress to the immediate family members of Roger Hurst, Walter Porter, John Mulroy, Bridget Concannon, and the other passengers and crew of Pan Am Flight 103. 41. The criminal acts committed by Al-Megrahi, Fhimah, and John Does #1-20 that resulted in the destruction of an American aircraft are within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, and give rise to a civil cause of action by those injured insofar as such acts are within the competence of a United States district court. 42. Al-Megrahi and Fhimah served as agents of Libya and the JSO and as employees of LAA during the relevant periods surrounding the planning and implementation of the bombing 9 of Pan Am Flight 103. Without their activities and the support provided to them by Libya, including its instrumentalities, the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 would not have occurred. LAA's management knew or should have known that LAA aircraft and facilities were being utilized for activities that violated Libya's domestic laws, the laws of the United States and the law of nations. 43. Such activities constituted violations of the law of nations and of several United States statutes, and resulted in the injury and death of Roger Hurst, Walter Porter, John Mulroy, and Bridget Concannon. 44. The surviving family members of Roger Hurst, Walter Porter, John Mulroy, and Bridget Concannon, including plaintiffs, have suffered immense emotional and psychological pain and suffering as a result of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 by defendants. FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION (Antiterrorism Act) 45. Plaintiffs repeat and reallege all preceding paragraphs. 46. The Antiterrorism Act provides a remedy for "[a]ny national of the United States injured in his or her person, property, or business by reason of an act of international terrorism, or his or her estate, survivors, or heirs." 18 U.S.C. § 2333(a). 47. Defendants engaged in acts of international terrorism, including violent acts that were dangerous to human life and in violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State, or would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the United States or of any State. Such acts appear to be intended to intimidate or coerce a 10 civilian population, influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion, or affect the conduct of a government by assassination. 48. The bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 was an act of international terrorism and constituted an extrajudicial killing and aircraft sabotage. 49. Defendants' conduct transcends national boundaries in terms of the means by which they are accomplished, the persons they appear intended to intimidate or coerce, or the locale in which their perpetrators operate or seek asylum. 50. In bombing Pan Am Flight 103, defendants Al-Megrahi and/or Fhimah were acting within the scope of their employment as officers and/or employees of the JSO and LAA. 51. Defendant Al-Megrahi is estopped from denying the essential allegations of the charges for which the Scottish High Court of Justiciary convicted him. See also 18 U.S.C. § 2333(c). 52. Defendants Libya, the JSO, and LAA provided material support and resources to defendants Al-Megrahi and/or Fhimah for the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. 53. Defendants conspired among themselves to bomb Pan Am Flight 103 in violation of the Antiterrorism Act, and took numerous overt steps in furtherance of such conspiracy. 54. Plaintiffs Ethel Hurst, Eugene Hurst, Spencer Hurst, Mitchell Hurst, Sharon Hurst Duross, Mary Diamond, Gwennth Forde, Victoria Porter, Olga Husbands, Vernon Druses, and Randolph Porter are nationals of the United States personally injured by reason of defendants' acts of international terrorism, or are the survivors or heirs of persons killed on board Pan Am Flight 103. 11 55. Plaintiffs sue to recover threefold the damages they sustained, not limited to intense emotional and psychological pain and suffering and the loss of the society and comfort of their family members who were killed on board Pan Am Flight 103, and the costs of suit, including attorneys' fees. SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION (Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act) 56. Plaintiffs repeat and reallege all preceding paragraphs. 57. The Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act waives sovereign immunity for claims against a foreign government for personal injury or death that was caused by an act of terrorism, including aircraft sabotage, if that foreign state was designated as a state sponsor of terrorism at the time it committed the terrorist act, or was so designated as a result of such act. 28 U.S.C. § 1605A(a). 58. Such a designated state sponsor of terrorism, and its officials, employees, or agents while acting within the scope of their office, employment or agency, are liable for personal injury or death caused by the act of terrorism, and damages may include economic damages, solatium, pain and suffering, and punitive damages. 28 U.S.C. § 1605A(c). 59. A foreign state shall also be vicariously liable for the acts of its officials, employees, or agents. 28 U.S.C. § 1605A(c). 60. Libya was designated as a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979 pursuant to § 6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979. 12 61. By bombing Pan Am Flight 103 and killing its passengers, including Roger Hurst, Walter Porter, John Mulroy, and Bridget Concannon, defendants caused plaintiffs personal injury, including emotional distress. 62. Libya is liable for the personal injuries suffered by plaintiffs, including, but not limited to, intense emotional and psychological pain and suffering and the loss of the society and comfort of their family members killed on board Pan Am Flight 103, and punitive damages. 63. Defendants Al-Megrahi and Fhima are liable for the personal injuries suffered by plaintiffs, including, but not limited to, intense emotional and psychological pain and suffering and the loss of the society and comfort of their family members killed on board Pan Am Flight 103, and punitive damages. 64. Libya is also vicariously liable for the acts of its officials, employees or agents, including Defendants Al-Megrahi and Fhima. THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION (Flatow Amendment) 65. Plaintiffs repeat and reallege all preceding paragraphs. 66. The Flatow Amendment creates an independent cause of action by providing that "[a]n official, employee, or agent of a [designated foreign state] . . . shall be liable to a United States national or the national's personal representative for personal injury or death . . . for money damages which may include . . . solatium . . . ." 28 U.S.C. § 1605 note. 13 67. By bombing Pan Am Flight 103 and killing its passengers, including Roger Hurst, Walter Porter, John Mulroy, and Bridget Concannon, defendants caused plaintiffs personal injury, including emotional distress. 68. Libya is liable for such personal injury "in the same manner and to the same extent as a private individual under like circumstances." 28 U.S.C. § 1606. 69. Libya is also liable for the acts of the individual defendants – including its employees and agents Al-Megrahi and Fhima – under the doctrine of respondeat superior. By "accept[ing] responsibility for the actions of its officials," Libya has acknowledged and conceded such liability. 70. Defendant Al-Megrahi is estopped from denying the essential allegations of the charges for which he was convicted by the Scottish High Court of Justiciary. FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION (Torture Victim Protection Act) 71. Plaintiffs repeat and reallege all preceding paragraphs. 72. The Torture Victim Protection Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1350 note, provides a cause of action for torture and extrajudicial killing by any individual acting under the actual or apparent authority or color of law of any foreign state. 73. Defendants' bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 was an extrajudicial killing. 74. In bombing Pan Am Flight 103, defendants Al-Megrahi and Fhimah were acting within the scope of their employment as officers and/or employees of the JSO and LAA, and under actual or apparent authority or color of law. 14 75. Defendants conspired among themselves to bomb Pan Am Flight 103 in violation of the Torture Victim Protection Act, and took numerous overt steps in furtherance of such conspiracy. 76. The deaths of Roger Hurst, Walter Porter, John Mulroy, and Bridget Concannon, and the personal injuries suffered by plaintiffs, including, but not limited to, intense emotional and psychological pain and suffering and the loss of the society and comfort of their family members killed on board Pan Am Flight 103, were proximately caused by the willful and deliberate activities of Al-Megrahi and Fhimah. FIFTH CAUSE OF ACTION (Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress) 77. Plaintiffs repeat and reallege all preceding paragraphs. 78. The bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 was extreme and outrageous conduct and in violation of state and federal law, as well as the law of nations and numerous international treaties. 79. By bombing Pan Am Flight 103 and killing its passengers, including Roger Hurst, Walter Porter, John Mulroy, and Bridget Concannon, defendants intended to cause severe emotional distress among the immediate members of the decedents' family, including plaintiffs. 80. By bombing Pan Am Flight 103, Libya and other defendants did cause personal injuries to plaintiffs Ethel Hurst, Eugene Hurst, Spencer Hurst, Mitchell Hurst, Sharon Hurst Duross, Mary Diamond, Gwennth Forde, Victoria Porter, Olga Husbands, Vernon Druses, Randolph Porter, and James Mulroy, including, but not limited to, intense 15 emotional and psychological pain and suffering and the loss of the society and comfort of their family members killed on board Pan Am Flight 103. 81. All defendants, including Libya, are liable for the intentional infliction of emotional distress of plaintiffs. 82. Libya is liable for the intentional infliction of emotional distress of plaintiffs "in the same manner and to the same extent as a private individual under like circumstances." 28 U.S.C. § 1606. 83. Libya is also liable for the acts of the individual defendants – including its employees and agents Al-Megrahi and Fhima – under the doctrine of respondeat superior. By "accept[ing] responsibility for the actions of its officials," Libya has acknowledged and conceded such liability. SIXTH CAUSE OF ACTION (Civil Conspiracy) 84. Plaintiffs repeat and reallege all preceding paragraphs. 85. Defendants did knowingly and willfully conspire to commit the following offenses: (a) the deliberate and wrongful deaths of Roger Hurst, Walter Porter, John Mulroy, and Bridget Concannon; (b) the violation of the Antiterrorism Act; (c) the violation of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (d) the violation of the Flatow Amendment; (e) the violation of the Torture Victims Protection Act; and (f) the intentional infliction of emotional distress upon plaintiffs. 16 86. The objects of the conspiracy were the sabotage and destruction of Pan Am Flight 103, the foreseeable resulting deaths of, among others, Roger Hurst, Walter Porter, John Mulroy, and Bridget Concannon, the intentional infliction of emotional distress on the survivors of these decedents, and through the suffering of the survivors, the traumatization of the entire nation. The destruction of the plane, the deaths of the passenger and crew, and the emotional distress of the survivors were proximately caused by this conspiracy. 87. Defendants took numerous overt steps in furtherance of such conspiracy. 88. Defendants were acting pursuant to the actual or apparent authority or color of law of Libya, and are liable for conspiring to commit the aforementioned offenses. Defendants Al-Megrahi and Fhimah were also acting in their personal capacity by carrying out these criminal acts. Defendants are liable for conspiring to commit the aforementioned offenses among themselves as well as with others whose identities are unknown at this time. SEVENTH CAUSE OF ACTION (Guaranty Contract) 89. Plaintiffs repeat and reallege all preceding paragraphs. 90. Libya, in consideration for greater international respectability and improved relations with the members of the United Nations, has guaranteed payment of any judgments entered against Al-Megrahi and Fhimah with respect to the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. 91. Libya's guaranty contract obligates it to pay any unsatisfied judgments obtained against Al-Megrahi and Fhimah. 17 WHEREFORE, plaintiffs respectfully requests judgment as follows: (a) on the First Cause of Action, compensatory damages, including, without limitation, economic loss, pain and suffering, and solatium damages in an amount to be determined at trial, multiplied by three pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 2333(a); punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial; and, special damages, including, without limitation, costs associated with psychological counseling, travel expenses related to the bombing, loss of earnings tied to the bombing; (b) on the Second Cause of Action, compensatory damages, including, without limitation, economic loss, pain and suffering, and solatium damages in an amount to be determined at trail; punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial; and, special damages, including, without limitation, psychological counseling, travel expenses related to the bombing, loss of earnings tied to the bombing; (c) on the Third Cause of Action, compensatory damages, including, without limitation, economic loss, pain and suffering, and solatium damages in an amount to be determined at trail; punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial; and, special damages, including, without limitation, psychological counseling, travel expenses related to the bombing, loss of earnings tied to the bombing; (d) on the Fourth Cause of Action, compensatory damages, including, without limitation, economic loss, pain and suffering, and solatium damages in an amount to be determined at trail; punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial; and, special damages, including, without limitation, psychological counseling, travel expenses related to the bombing, loss of earnings tied to the bombing; 18 (e) on the Fifth Cause of Action, compensatory damages, including, without limitation, economic loss, pain and suffering, and solatium damages in an amount to be determined at trail; punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial; and, special damages, including, without limitation, psychological counseling, travel expenses related to the bombing, loss of earnings tied to the bombing; (f) on the Sixth Cause of Action, compensatory damages, including, without limitation, economic loss, pain and suffering, and solatium damages in an amount to be determined at trail; punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial; and, special damages, including, without limitation, psychological counseling, travel expenses related to the bombing, loss of earnings tied to the bombing; (g) on the Seventh Cause of Action, against Libya, payment of all or any unpaid part of any judgment(s) obtained in this action against Al-Megrahi and/or Fhima; (h) such other legal and equitable relief as this Court deems just and proper, together with attorneys’ fees, interest, costs and disbursements of this action pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 2333(a). Dated: March 28, 2008 New York, New York EMERY CELLI BRINCKERHOFF & ABADY LLP ____________/s/____________ Sarah Netburn Richard D. Emery 75 Rockefeller Plaza New York, New York 10019 (212) 763-5000 19 MARK S. ZAID, P.C. 1250 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Suite 200 Washington, D.C. 20036 (202) 454-2809 20 August 2, 2007 mmaher on PROD1PC70 with CONG-REC-ONLINE school facilities. However, the distribution of these recent investments has been overwhelmingly slanted to the most affluent communities which are better able to fund new investments without outside assistance. A 2006 study released by the Building Educational Success Together, BEST, coalition found that the quality of your child’s school is dependent upon his or her racial or ethnic background and whether they live in a rich or poor neighborhood. Local spending on school facilities in affluent communities is almost twice as high as in our most disadvantaged communities, as measured on a perpupil basis. The report also found that school districts with predominantly caucasian enrollment benefited from about $2000 more per student in school repair and construction spending than their peers living in school districts with predominantly minority enrollment. The Public School Repair and Renovation Act addresses that inequity by targeting school renovation grants to those communities that have struggled to fund needed repairs. The bill builds on the model States found successful in the fiscal year 2001 program. States would receive funding based on their most recent Title I allocation to initiate a competitive grant program targeted to poor and rural school districts. States have the discretion to require matching funds from the local district bringing the potential funding to much more than the $1.6 billion Federal investment. I would like to thank my colleagues, Senators KENNEDY, CLINTON, and MIKULSKI for signing on to this bill. In addition, I am pleased to report this legislation has the support of a diverse group of national education organizations representing teachers, school boards, school administrators, and principals. The Public School Repair and Renovation Act takes a much needed step forward in fixing the inequity in public school facilities. Something is seriously wrong when children go to modern, gleaming movie theaters, shopping malls, and sports arenas, but attend public schools with crumbling walls and leaking roofs. This sends exactly the wrong message to children about the importance of education. I hope that my colleagues will support the Public School Repair and Renovation Act. By Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself, Mr. SPECTER, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. COLEMAN, Mr. LOTT, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. SCHUMER, Mrs. CLINTON, Mr. CASEY, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. GRAHAM, Mr. BIDEN, Mr. STEVENS, and Mrs. FEINSTEIN): S. 1944. A bill to provide justice for victims of state-sponsored terrorism; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Justice for Vic- VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:42 Aug 15, 2007 S10793 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE Jkt 059060 tims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act with my colleagues, Senators SPECTER, MENENDEZ, CORNYN, COLEMAN, LOTT, LIEBERMAN, SCHUMER, CLINTON, CASEY, COLLINS, GRAHAM, BIDEN, STEVENS, and FEINSTEIN. I am proud to introduce this legislation on behalf of the many Americans who have suffered at the hands of State sponsors of terrorism. This important legislation will allow victims of state sponsored terrorism to have their day in court. It will do so by enabling these individuals to both sue for liability and seek financial compensation from the states, such as Iran, which committed these murderous acts, thereby starving them of the funds that they use to strike at innocent victims. In 1983, the U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, was bombed by the Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah, killing 241 servicemen and wounding 100 others. In 2003, the U.S. District Court in Washington, DC, found the Republic of Iran, which directly supports Hezbollah, guilty of masterminding that bombing. The victims and their families have the right to sue their tormentors and have judgments against Iran, yet the judgments are not being enforced. In 1996, the President signed into law legislation that I wrote to amend the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act to give private American citizens the right to hold U.S. Department of Statedesignated state sponsors of terrorism liable in U.S. courts. This legislation, also known as the Flatow amendment, needs to be clarified and updated. The bill I am introducing today will bring clarity to this law on behalf of victims of terrorism and reaffirm their right to sue and collect damages from state sponsors of terrorism. There are several reasons why the law needs to be improved. First, the courts decided in 2004 in Cicippio-Puleo v. Islamic Republic of Iran that, contrary to the intent of the Flatow amendment, there would be no Federal private right of action against foreign governments. The ruling stated that there could only be legal action against individual officials and employees of that government. Second, current law permits judgment holders to only seize assets over which a terrorist state has day-to-day managerial control, thereby allowing terrorist states to hide their assets from the victims who have successful judgments against them. Third, state sponsors of terrorism, such as Libya, which is still responsible for terrorist acts it committed in the past, have consistently abused the appeals process to delay litigation proceedings. My new legislation will address these issues and improve the ability of victims to hold state sponsors of terrorism accountable. First, it will update the Flatow amendment to improve its enforcement by reaffirming the right of private citizens to sue state sponsors of terrorism. Second, it will allow for the seizure of hidden commercial assets belonging to the PO 00000 Frm 00109 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 terrorist state so that the victims of terrorism can be justly compensated. Third, it will limit the number of appeals that the terrorist state can pursue in U.S. courts. In addition, my legislation will provide foreign nationals working for the U.S. Government, if they are victims of a terrorist attack during their official duties, to be covered by these same provisions. While nothing can bring back innocent lives lost to terrorism, the state sponsors of these horrific acts must be made to pay for their crimes. We are united in our belief that state-sponsored terrorism is wrong and that the perpetrators of terrorism must be brought to justice. This legislation will also strengthen our national security by combating the desire and ability of foreign nations to both finance and support terrorism. Most importantly, it will empower those innocent victims who have suffered from terrorism to seek justice through the rule of American law. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support justice for victims of state sponsored terrorism by supporting this important bill. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the RECORD. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows: S. 1944 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Justice for Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act’’. SEC. 2. TERRORISM EXCEPTION TO IMMUNITY. (a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 97 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1605 the following: ‘‘§ 1605A. Terrorism exception to the jurisdictional immunity of a foreign state ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.— ‘‘(1) NO IMMUNITY.—A foreign state shall not be immune from the jurisdiction of courts of the United States or of the States in any case not otherwise covered by this chapter in which money damages are sought against a foreign state for personal injury or death that was caused by an act of torture, extrajudicial killing, aircraft sabotage, hostage taking, or the provision of material support or resources (as defined in section 2339A of title 18) for such an act if such act or provision of material support is engaged in by an official, employee, or agent of such foreign state while acting within the scope of his or her office, employment, or agency. ‘‘(2) CLAIM HEARD.—The court shall hear a claim under this section if— ‘‘(A) the foreign state was designated as a state sponsor of terrorism under section 6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2405 (j)) or section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371) at the time the act occurred, unless later designated as a result of such act; ‘‘(B) the claimant or the victim was— ‘‘(i) a national of the United States (as that term is defined in section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22)); ‘‘(ii) a member of the Armed Forces of the United States (as that term is defined in section 976 of title 10); or E:\RECORD07\S02AU7.REC S02AU7 mmaher on PROD1PC70 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S10794 ‘‘(iii) otherwise an employee of the government of the United States or one of its contractors acting within the scope of their employment when the act upon which the claim is based occurred; or ‘‘(C) where the act occurred in the foreign state against which the claim has been brought, the claimant has afforded the foreign state a reasonable opportunity to arbitrate the claim in accordance with the accepted international rules of arbitration. ‘‘(b) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this section— ‘‘(1) the terms ‘torture’ and ‘extrajudicial killing’ have the meaning given those terms in section 3 of the Torture Victim Protection Act of 1991 (28 U.S.C. 1350 note); ‘‘(2) the term ‘hostage taking’ has the meaning given that term in Article 1 of the International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages; and ‘‘(3) the term ‘aircraft sabotage’ has the meaning given that term in Article 1 of the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation. ‘‘(c) TIME LIMIT.—An action may be brought under this section if the action is commenced not later than the latter of— ‘‘(1) 10 years after April 24, 1996; or ‘‘(2) 10 years from the date on which the cause of action arose. ‘‘(d) PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION.—A private cause of action may be brought against a foreign state designated under section 6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. 2405(j)), and any official, employee, or agent of said foreign state while acting within the scope of his or her office, employment, or agency which shall be liable to a national of the United States (as that term is defined in section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22)), a member of the Armed Forces of the United States (as that term is defined in section 976 of title 10), or an employee of the government of the United States or one of its contractors acting within the scope of their employment or the legal representative of such a person for personal injury or death caused by acts of that foreign state or its official, employee, or agent for which the courts of the United States may maintain jurisdiction under this section for money damages which may include economic damages, solatium, pain, and suffering, and punitive damages if the acts were among those described in this section. A foreign state shall be vicariously liable for the actions of its officials, employees, or agents. ‘‘(e) ADDITIONAL DAMAGES.—After an action has been brought under subsection (d), actions may also be brought for reasonably foreseeable property loss, whether insured or uninsured, third party liability, and life and property insurance policy loss claims. ‘‘(f) SPECIAL MASTERS.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Courts of the United States may from time to time appoint special masters to hear damage claims brought under this section. ‘‘(2) TRANSFER OF FUNDS.—The Attorney General shall transfer, from funds available for the program under sections 1404C of the Victims Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10603c) to the Administrator of the United States District Court in which any case is pending which has been brought pursuant to section 1605(a)(7) such funds as may be required to carry out the Orders of that United States District Court appointing Special Masters in any case under this section. Any amount paid in compensation to any such Special Master shall constitute an item of court costs. ‘‘(g) APPEAL.—In an action brought under this section, appeals from orders not conclusively ending the litigation may only be taken pursuant to section 1292(b) of this title. VerDate Aug 31 2005 August 2, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE 06:42 Aug 15, 2007 Jkt 059060 ‘‘(h) PROPERTY DISPOSITION.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In every action filed in a United States district court in which jurisdiction is alleged under this section, the filing of a notice of pending action pursuant to this section, to which is attached a copy of the complaint filed in the action, shall have the effect of establishing a lien of lis pendens upon any real property or tangible personal property located within that judicial district that is titled in the name of any defendant, or titled in the name of any entity controlled by any such defendant if such notice contains a statement listing those controlled entities. ‘‘(2) NOTICE.—A notice of pending action pursuant to this section shall be filed by the clerk of the district court in the same manner as any pending action and shall be indexed by listing as defendants all named defendants and all entities listed as controlled by any defendant. ‘‘(3) ENFORCEABILITY.—Liens established by reason of this subsection shall be enforceable as provided in chapter 111 of this title.’’. (b) AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER ANALYSIS.— The chapter analysis for chapter 97 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item for section 1605 the following: ‘‘1605A. Terrorism exception to the jurisdictional immunity of a foreign state.’’. SEC. 3. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. (a) PROPERTY.—Section 1610 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ‘‘(g) PROPERTY IN CERTAIN ACTIONS.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The property of a foreign state, or agency or instrumentality of a foreign state, against which a judgment is entered under this section, including property that is a separate juridical entity, is subject to execution upon that judgment as provided in this section, regardless of— ‘‘(A) the level of economic control over the property by the government of the foreign state; ‘‘(B) whether the profits of the property go to that government; ‘‘(C) the degree to which officials of that government manage the property or otherwise control its daily affairs; ‘‘(D) whether that government is the sole beneficiary in interest of the property; or ‘‘(E) whether establishing the property as a separate entity would entitle the foreign state to benefits in United States courts while avoiding its obligations. ‘‘(2) UNITED STATES SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY INAPPLICABLE.—Any property of a foreign state, or agency or instrumentality of a foreign state, to which paragraph (1) applies shall not be immune from execution upon a judgment entered under this section because the property is regulated by the United States Government by reason of action taken against that foreign state under the Trading With the Enemy Act or the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.’’. (b) VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT.—Section 1404C(a)(3) of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10603c(a)(3)) is amended by striking ‘‘December 21, 1988, with respect to which an investigation or’’ and inserting ‘‘October 23, 1983, with respect to which an investigation or civil or criminal’’. (c) GENERAL EXCEPTION.—Section 1605 of title 28, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (5)(B), by inserting ‘‘or’’ after the semicolon; (B) in paragraph (6)(D), by striking ‘‘; or’’ and inserting a period; and (C) by striking paragraph (7); and (2) by striking subsections (e) and (f). PO 00000 Frm 00110 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 SEC. 4. APPLICATION TO PENDING CASES. (a) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by this Act shall apply to any claim arising under section 1605A or 1605(g) of title 28, United States Code, as added by this Act. (b) PRIOR ACTIONS.—Any judgment or action brought under section 1605(a)(7) of title 28, United States Code, or section 101(c) of Public Law 104-208 after the effective date of such provisions relying on either of these provisions as creating a cause of action, which has been adversely affected on the grounds that either or both of these provisions fail to create a cause of action opposable against the state, and which is still before the courts in any form, including appeal or motion under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b), shall, on motion made to the Federal District Court where the judgment or action was initially entered, be given effect as if it had originally been filed pursuant to section 1605A(d) of title 28, United States Code. The defenses of res judicata, collateral estoppel and limitation period are waived in any re-filed action described in this paragraph and based on the such claim. Any such motion or re-filing must be made not later than 60 days after enactment of this Act. By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. OBAMA, and Mr. BROWN) S. 1945. A bill to provide a Federal income tax credit for Patriot employers, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance. Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, when companies make headlines today it is often for all the wrong reasons: fraud, tax avoidance, profiteering, etc. Yet many of the companies that are currently providing jobs across America are conscientious corporate citizens that strive to treat their workers fairly even as they seek to create good products that consumers want and to maximize profits for their shareholders. I believe that we should reward such companies for providing good jobs to American workers, and create incentives that encourage more companies to do likewise. The Patriot Employers bill does just that. This legislation, which I am introducing today along with Senators OBAMA and BROWN, would provide a tax credit to reward the companies that treat American workers best. Companies that provide American jobs, pay decent wages; provide good benefits, and support their employees when they are called to active duty should enjoy more favorable tax treatment than companies that are unwilling to make the same commitment to American workers. The Patriot Employers tax credit would put the tax code on the side of those deserving companies by acknowledging their commitments. The Patriot Employers legislation would provide a tax credit equal to 1 percent of taxable income to employers that meet the following criteria: First, invest in American jobs, by maintaining or increasing the number of full-time workers in America relative to the number of full-time workers outside of America, by maintaining their corporate headquarters in America if the company has ever been headquartered in America, and by maintaining neutrality in union organizing drives. E:\RECORD07\S02AU7.REC S02AU7

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