One Man's Lawsuit Makes a Difference

MercenaryCentury-old Goon Squad Law Invoked to Prevent Contract to Aegis Defence Systems
By ROBERT Y. PELTON - Iraq Slogger - 6/2/07

Steve Faineru continues his energetic coverage of security contractors with yet another scoop. It appears the awarding of the largest single security contract in Iraq to a controversial former mercenary has been derailed, not by Congress, not by media controversy, but by the efforts of a single citizen.

The contract to coordinate security activities was valued at about $475 million and was expected to go the incumbent Aegis Defence Systems. After a rough start Aegis had finally got their operations under control and were receiving solid marks from even their harshest critics.

Despite protests filed during the rebidding, it was expected that Aegis would maintain the contract. Until Brian X. Scott, a 53-year-old Colorado man, filed a legal complaint in early April. Scott dug up a 1893 law that prohibits the government from hiring paramilitary forces.

Although Erinys and Blackwater were clearly able to handle the massive half billion dollar contract they were dropped in early eliminations. They protested and the GAO extended Aegis' cost plus contract while the protests were being resolved.

Scott's lawsuit spurred the Army into dropping the protests and prevented them from awarding the contract to Aegis. It remains to be seen if his legal protest will prevent awarding the contract.

Scott invoked the Anti-Pinkerton Act, legislation which Congress passed to prevent the use of organized violence against labor groups.

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