Jones et al v. Halliburton Company et al
Filing
20
Defendants' ANSWER to Amended Complaint Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint by KBR, Inc., Kellogg Brown & Root Services, Inc., Kellogg Brown & Root International, Inc., Kellogg Brown & Root LLC, Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc, Kellogg Brown & Root, S. de R.L., Halliburton Company, KBR Technical Services, Inc, Overseas Administrative Services, LTD.(Sloan, Shadow) (Entered: 06/11/2007), filed.(mmapps, )
Case 1:07-cv-00295-TH
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
BEAUMONT DIVISION
JAMIE JONES and JOSEPH
DAIGLE,
Plaintiffs,
§
§
§
§
VS.
§
§
HALLIBURTON COMPANY d/b/a
§
KBR KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT
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(KBR); KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT
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SERVICES, INC.; BROWN & ROOT
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INTERNATIONAL, INC.; KELLOGG
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BROWN & ROOT, LLC; KELLOGG
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BROWN & ROOT, INC.; KELLOGG
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BROWN & ROOT, S. de R.L.; KELLOGG §
BROWN & ROOT (KBR), INC.; KBR
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TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC.;
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OVERSEAS ADMINISTRATIVE
§
SERVICES, LTD.; ERIC ILER,
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CHARLES BOARTZ; SEVERAL
§
JOHN DOE RAPISTS, and THE
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
§
Defendants.
§
CIVIL ACTION NO. 1:07-CV-0295
DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER TO
PLAINTIFFS’ FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
Defendants, Halliburton Company, Kellogg Brown & Root Services, Inc., Kellogg
Brown & Root International, Inc., Kellogg Brown & Root LLC, Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc.,
Kellogg Brown & Root S. de R.L., KBR, Inc., KBR Technical Services, Inc., and Overseas
Administrative Services, Ltd. (“Defendants”) file this answer to Plaintiffs’ first amended
complaint as follows.
The above named Defendants acknowledge that Plaintiffs have filed suit alleging various
causes of action, but deny that any of the claims have merit.
Defendants object to the
sensationalized and inaccurate description of the facts gratuitously added in the preamble of the
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complaint. Defendants deny all the allegations in the first amended complaint which are not
specifically admitted below and reserve the right to further amend this answer.
I.
1.
Nature of the Case
Defendants admit that Plaintiffs have brought this action asserting the claims
described in paragraph 1, and that Jamie Jones was a direct employee of KBR Technical
Services, Inc. (KBRTSI) in Houston, Texas, and Overseas Administrative Services, Inc. (OAS)
in Iraq, and that Camp Hope was under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of State,
but deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 1.
2.
Defendants admit that Ms. Jones was hired by KBRTSI as an administrative
assistant in Houston, Texas on April 15, 2004 and that she signed a written employment
agreement with Overseas Administrative Services, Ltd. effective on July 21, 2005. Defendants
are without sufficient information to admit or deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 2 and
therefore deny same.
3.
Defendants are without sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of
paragraph 3 and therefore deny same.
4.
Defendants admit that Halliburton Company is headquartered in Houston, Harris
County, Texas; that Halliburton conducts business in Texas; and that Halliburton may be served
with process through its registered agent, CT Corporation System, of Houston, Texas, but denies
the remaining allegations of paragraph 4.
5.
Defendants admit that KBR, Inc. is the ultimate parent company of Kellogg
Brown & Root International, Inc., Kellogg Brown & Root LLC, KBR Technical Services, Inc.,
and Kellogg Brown & Root, S. de R.L.; that they have their primary place of business in
Houston, Harris County, Texas and may be served with process through their registered agent,
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CT Corporation System.
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Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc. is no longer an active company.
Defendants deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 5.
6.
Defendants admit that OAS is incorporated in the Cayman Islands; Defendants
deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 6.
7.
Defendants admit that Mr. Boartz’ last known residence is the address stated in
Florida, but deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 7.
8.
Defendants are without sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of
paragraph 8 and therefore deny same.
9.
Defendants are without sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of
paragraph 9 and therefore deny same.
10.
Defendants admit this Court has jurisdiction based on diversity of citizenship and
federal question and that the amount in controversy exceeds the minimum jurisdictional level of
this court but deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 10.
11.
Defendants admit that Plaintiffs executed a binding arbitration agreement but
violated that agreement to bring this suit. Defendants acknowledge that Plaintiffs request that
the Court ignore the agreement to arbitrate, but deny that the request is appropriate or in the
interests of justice.
12.
Defendants admit that Jamie Jones was employed by KBRTSI as an
administrative assistant in Houston on April 15, 2004 and reported to Eric Iler until March 27,
2005. The remaining allegations of paragraph 12 are denied.
13.
Paragraph 13 is denied.
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14.
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Defendants admit that Jamie Jones worked in another department, for another
supervisor other than Mr. Iler prior to her employment with OAS on July 21, 2005 at Camp
Hope, Iraq. The remaining allegations of paragraph 14 are denied.
15.
Paragraph 15 is denied.
16.
Defendants admit that Jamie Jones began work at Camp Hope in Baghdad, Iraq
on July 25, 2005 and that she was assigned to a co-ed barracks, with bathrooms on the first floor,
and that employees were not prohibited from consuming alcohol at Camp Hope. The remaining
allegations of paragraph 16 are denied.
17.
Paragraph 17 is denied.
18.
Defendants admit that Jamie Jones reported an alleged sexual assault to Pete
Arroyo, that she was immediately transported to the combat area surgical hospital run by the
U.S. Army, where a rape kit was administered, and that KBR informed the U.S. State
Department of the incident. Defendants are unable to admit or deny the remaining allegations of
paragraph 18 and therefore deny same.
19.
Defendants admit that Camp Hope was under the jurisdiction of the U.S.
Department of State. The remaining allegations of paragraph 19 are denied.
20.
Paragraph 20 is denied.
21.
Paragraph 21 is denied.
22.
Defendants admit that Plaintiffs incorporate paragraphs of their complaint into
paragraph 22 and respond to those paragraphs as noted above.
23.
Defendants admit that Jamie Jones was a female employee entitled to the
protections of federal law prohibiting sexual harassment but deny the remaining allegations of
paragraph 23.
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24.
Paragraph 24 is denied.
25.
Paragraph 25 is denied.
26.
Paragraph 26 is denied.
27.
Paragraph 27 is denied.
28.
Defendants are without sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of
paragraph 28 and therefore deny same.
29.
Paragraph 29 is denied.
30.
Defendants admit that Plaintiffs incorporate paragraphs of their complaint into
paragraph 30 and respond to those paragraphs as noted above.
31.
Paragraph 31 is denied.
32.
Paragraph 32 is denied.
33.
Paragraph 33 is denied.
34.
Paragraph 34 is denied.
35.
Defendants admit that Plaintiffs incorporate paragraphs of their complaint into
paragraph 35 and respond to those paragraphs as noted above.
36.
Defendants are without knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of
paragraph 36 with respect to the United States of America and therefore deny same.
37.
Defendants admit that Jamie Jones was entitled to the protections of federal law
prohibiting sexual harassment. The remaining allegations of paragraph 37 are denied.
38.
Defendants are without knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of
paragraph 38 and therefore deny same.
39.
Paragraph 39 is denied.
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40.
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Defendants admit that Plaintiffs incorporate paragraphs of their complaint into
paragraph 40 and respond to those paragraphs as noted above.
41.
Defendants admit that Jamie Jones is entitled to the protections of federal law
prohibiting sexual harassment but deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 41.
42.
Paragraph 42 is denied.
43.
Paragraph 43 is denied.
44.
Paragraph 44 is denied.
45.
Defendants admit that Plaintiffs incorporate paragraphs of their complaint into
paragraph 45 and respond to those paragraphs as noted above.
46.
Paragraph 46 is denied.
47.
Paragraph 47 is denied.
48.
Paragraph 48 is denied.
49.
Paragraph 49. is denied.
50.
Defendants admit that Plaintiffs incorporate paragraphs of their complaint into
paragraph 50 and respond to those paragraphs as noted above.
51.
Paragraph 51 is denied.
52.
Paragraph 52 is denied.
53.
Paragraph 53 is denied.
54.
Paragraph 54 is denied.
55.
Defendants admit that Plaintiffs have pled multiple theories of liability and
recovery with no election of remedies.
56.
Paragraph 56 is denied.
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57.
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Defendants admit that Plaintiffs incorporate paragraphs of their complaint into
paragraph 57 and respond to those paragraphs as noted above.
58.
Defendants admit that Jamie Jones executed an employment agreement with OAS
on July 21, 2005 but deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 58.
59.
Paragraph 59 is denied.
60.
Paragraph 60 is denied.
61.
Defendants admit that Plaintiffs incorporate paragraphs of their complaint into
paragraph 61 and respond to those paragraphs as noted above.
62.
Defendants admit that Jamie Jones signed an employment agreement with OAS
that governed her employment in Iraq but deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 62.
63.
Paragraph 63 is denied.
64.
Defendants admit that Plaintiffs incorporate paragraphs of their complaint into
paragraph 64 and respond to those paragraphs as noted above.
65.
Paragraph 65 is denied.
66.
Paragraph 66 is denied.
67.
Paragraph 67 is denied.
68.
Paragraph 68 is denied.
69.
Defendants admit that Plaintiffs incorporate paragraphs of their complaint into
paragraph 69 and respond to those paragraphs as noted above.
70.
Paragraph 70 is denied.
71.
Paragraph 71 is denied.
72.
Defendants admit that Plaintiffs incorporate paragraphs of their complaint into
paragraph 72 and respond to those paragraphs as noted above.
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73.
Paragraph 73 is denied.
74.
Paragraph 74 is denied.
75.
Defendants admit that Plaintiffs incorporate paragraphs of their complaint into
paragraph 75 and respond to those paragraphs as noted above.
76.
Defendants admit that Jamie Jones seeks damages but deny that she is entitled to
any damages.
77.
Defendants admit that Joseph Daigle also seeks damages but deny that he is
entitled to the damages pled.
78.
Defendants admit that Plaintiffs incorporate paragraphs of their complaint into
paragraph 78 and respond to those paragraphs as noted above.
79.
Paragraph 79 is denied.
80.
Defendants admit that Plaintiffs seek exemplary damages but deny that they are
entitled to such damages.
81.
Paragraph 81 is denied.
82.
Paragraph 82 is denied.
83.
Defendants admit that Plaintiffs seek punitive or exemplary damages but deny
that they are entitled to such damages.
84.
Defendants admit that Plaintiffs seek prejudgment interest and costs of court but
deny that they are entitled to such relief.
85.
Defendants admit that Plaintiffs has made a jury demand.
86.
Defendants admit that Plaintiffs seek monetary damages and other relief but deny
that they are entitled to any such relief.
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II.
87.
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Affirmative Defenses
Plaintiffs’ claims are barred by the Defense Base Act, the Longshore Harbor
Workers Compensation Act, and the War Hazards Compensation Act.
88.
Plaintiffs’ claims are barred because the alleged injuries to Plaintiff were incurred
during combatant activities in time of war involving the United States military and defense
contractors, and are therefore barred by 28 U.S.C. § 2680(j).
89.
Plaintiffs’ claims are barred by the government contractor defense pursuant to the
discretionary function exception under 28 U.S.C. § 2680(a).
90.
Plaintiffs’ claims are barred because the alleged injuries to Plaintiff occurred on
foreign soil as part of work for a defense contractor supporting the United States military, and is
therefore barred by 28 U.S.C. § 2680(k).
91.
Plaintiffs’ claims are barred by the government contractor defense.
92.
Plaintiffs have no right to recover from Defendants because Plaintiffs’ alleged
injuries were the result of the actions of third parties, whose conduct constitutes an intervening
and superseding cause.
93.
Plaintiffs’ claims may be barred, in whole or in part, by the doctrine of
contributory and/or comparative negligence.
94.
Plaintiffs’ injuries were caused while Plaintiff, Jamie Jones, was intoxicated.
95.
Plaintiffs’ claims, if any, for exemplary damages is limited by Tex. Civ. Prac. &
Rem. Code § 41.008.
96.
Plaintiffs’ damages, if any, may be subject to offset for benefits received under
the Defense Base Act and/or the War Hazards Compensation Act.
97.
Any alleged act of sexual assault by an employee is outside the scope of any such
person’s duties for Defendants.
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98.
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Plaintiff, Jamie Jones, suffered from various pre-existing conditions, which are a
part of the damages being sought in this case.
99.
Plaintiffs’ claims may be barred, in whole or in part, by a failure to mitigate or
minimize damages.
100.
Plaintiffs have waived their right to challenge the arbitrability of their claims by
filing a demand for arbitration in February 2006.
101.
Defendants’ actions and statements with respect to Plaintiffs were privileged or
with legal justification.
102.
Plaintiff Jamie Jones has failed to exhaust her administrative remedies.
103.
Plaintiffs’ claims are barred, in part, by limitations.
104.
Plaintiffs have failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
Defendants respectfully request that Plaintiffs’ amended complaint be dismissed, and that
Defendants have such general relief, at law or in equity, to which they may show themselves
justly entitled.
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Respectfully submitted,
MEHAFFYWEBER
___/s/ M. C. Carrington_________
M. C. CARRINGTON, Of Counsel
State Bar No. 03880800
Post Office Box 16
Beaumont, Texas 77704
(409) 835-5011
(409) 835-5177 (fax)
___/s/ Shadow Sloan____________
SHADOW SLOAN
State Bar No. 18507550
Federal ID No. 11372
V. LORAINE CHRIST
State Bar No. 24050417
Federal ID No. 611166
VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P.
First City Tower
1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500
Houston, Texas 77002-6760
(713) 758-3822
(713) 615-5933 (fax)
ATTORNEYS FOR DEFENDANTS,
KBR, KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT,
KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT SERVICES,
INC., KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT
INTERNATIONAL, INC., KELLOGG
BROWN & ROOT, LLC, KELLOGG
BROWN
&
ROOT,
INC.,
KBR
TECHNICAL
SERVICES,
INC.;
OVERSEAS ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES, LTD.; AND KELLOGG
BROWN & ROOT S. de R.L.
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that on this 11th day of June 2007 a true and correct copy of the
foregoing document was filed electronically by using the CM/ECF and/or by first-class mail,
return receipt requested, on Plaintiff’s counsel, addressed as follows:
L. Todd Kelly
The Kelly Law Firm, P.C.
One Riverway Drive, Suite 1150
777 South Post Oak Lane
Houston, Texas 77056-1920
Paul Waldner
Vickery, Waldner & Mallia, L.L.C.
One Riverway, Suite 1150
Houston, Texas 77056
Stephanie M. Morris
Attorney at Law
1660 L Street N.W., Suite 506
Washington, D.C. 20036
___/s/ Shadow Sloan____________
Attorney for Defendants
3282484v.1
Houston 3286089v.1
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