Unanswered questions

Saturday, May 30, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

The death of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth in Iraq in January 2008 was classified by Army investigators as negligent homicide. He was showering when an improperly grounded water pump caused him to be electrocuted.

In a report about the incident, CNN quoted Maseth’s mother as saying, “I truly couldn’t believe he would be electrocuted ... in the shower.”

Subsequent news reports have stated that at least three Iraq-based troops have died while showering and that others have been killed in other types of electrical incidents. Also, dozens of troops in Iraq have sought treatment for shocks, the Associated Press has reported.

Negligent wiring by Houston-based KBR Inc. caused Maseth’s death, the Army investigators concluded. The case is now under legal review, the AP reports.

KBR holds the Pentagon contract for maintenance at U.S. barracks and other facilities throughout Iraq.

In response to the shocks and electrocutions, the military sent a task force, whose work is ongoing, to inspect thousands of those facilities. The Associated Press obtained a copy of a report the task force sent to commanders in September.

The report noted there were “unmitigated electrical-related hazards” throughout Iraq, including hazards that can cause electrocution.

In recent days there have been developments that cry out for a thorough investigation. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said documents show that KBR has received $83 million in bonuses for its electrical work, with $34 million of that coming after Maseth’s death.

But a Pentagon official wrote to Dorgan saying that no bonuses have been given to KBR since Jan. 1, 2008, a day before Maseth’s death.

Also, KBR states that it is not responsible for any electrocutions. Yet a member of the task force said, “When I began inspecting the electrical work performed by KBR, my co-workers and I found improper electrical work in every building we inspected.”

Is KBR responsible? Was it paid bonuses for electrical work even though the work was suspected of being shoddy? The Pentagon should commission a report that would provide answers.