Judith Gross sues government,contractor on husband’s behalf
Ron Kampeas, JTA, Nov 16 2012

Alan Gross’ wife sued the US government and the company that contracted his work in Cuba, alleging that their training was inadequate and a factor in his imprisonment. A media release issued by the family’s lawyer said that the lawsuit he filed Friday on behalf of Judith Gross in a federal court in Washington seeks to “hold Development Alternatives Inc and the US Government accountable for their role in Gross’ detention and imprisonment, including their abject failure to advise, train and protect him.” A spokeswoman said the family was seeking $60m from the government and DAI. A separate lawsuit filed the same day seeks $10m for benefits the family says Gross’ insurer, Federal Insurance Company, has denied. Gross was sentenced last year to 15 years in prison for “crimes against the state.” He was arrested in 2009 for allegedly bringing satellite phones and computer equipment to members of Cuba’s (zionist) Jewish community. He has exhausted the appeals process. The suit alleges that Gross’ “role in the project required him to make multiple trips to Cuba over a short period, the fifth of which resulted in his wrongful arrest and detention.” Gross, who had run similar projects in other countries, was subcontracting to DAI, which was running a contract for USAID. The release says:

Mr and Mrs Gross claim that DAI and the US Government failed to disclose adequately to Mr Gross, both before and after he began traveling to Cuba, the material risks that he faced due to his participation in the project.(ed notes:guarantee they will toss the lawsuit,because he did know the risks as a u.s. spy...then again maybe they will pa so that wont have to come to light in court wink)

It does not mention the figure that the family is seeking. DAI in a statement alluded to Gross’ prior experience in such matters, and suggested that it did not want to say more pending continuing efforts to win Gross’ release. The DAI statement says:

Alan Gross is a colleague and friend whom we respect for his many years of international development experience and his expertise. We are disappointed that the Gross family has chosen to file a law suit at this point in time. As much as we would like to address the numerous disagreements we have with the content of the complaint, the fact is that doing so will not advance the cause of bringing Alan home, which remains our highest priority.

Gross has become a cause for US Jewish organizations, which have led protests and representations to US and foreign officials on his behalf. His mother, who is 90, and his daughter are both struggling with cancer (what does that have to do with it – RB).