NC lawmakers want SBI to probe alleged CIA flights

[struggle4progress]

The Associated Press
RALEIGH, N.C.

... The 22 lawmakers, all Democrats, who signed a letter sent to <state Attorney General> Cooper and the State Bureau of Investigation urge an investigation into "credible allegations that Aero Contractors conspired to commit federal crimes," according to a copy of the letter provided by advocacy group Stop Torture Now.

In October, SBI Director Robin Pendergraft declined a request from 12 lawmakers to investigate whether Aero Contractors violated federal laws prohibiting torture as a form of interrogation, saying the matter didn't fall under SBI jurisdiction. In her response, Pendergraft said she shared the lawmakers' letter with the FBI.

"In short, we are deeply concerned by the SBI's unwillingness to investigate a North Carolina company's alleged involvement in a conspiracy to support the kidnap and torture of individuals," the lawmakers wrote. "We hope you will direct the SBI to begin an investigation of Aero Contractors' actions."

A spokeswoman for Cooper said his office had received the letter and would review it ...

http://www.fayobserver.com/article_ap?id=98681

[pberq]

1. Aero Contractors

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/01/22/1455241

NC Lawmakers Seek Probe Into Plane Company Tied to CIA
Lawmakers in North Carolina are calling on the state's attorney general to investigate the charter plane company Aero Contractors. The North Carolina-based firm has provided Gulfstream jets to the CIA for use in its secretive extraordinary rendition program. Aero Contractors was founded by a CIA officer who once flew planes for the CIA's Air America fleet. The American Civil Liberties Union sued Aero Contractors last year for transporting the German citizen Khaled El-Masri after he was seized by U.S. agents in Macedonia.