In November 2017, Chief Petty Officer Kenton Stacy sustained injuries while working to clear a hospital in Raqqa, Syria, where explosives had been hidden by ISIS.
Now a quadriplegic, Stacy, along with his wife Lindsey and their four children, is involved in a lawsuit against the French cement company Lafarge. A French court recently found Lafarge guilty of paying millions in bribes to ISIS in order to keep its plants operational in areas controlled by the group.
“They were essentially providing funds that went towards terrorism and various atrocities,” Lindsey Stacy remarked to Fox News while by her husband’s side. Kenton, a former Navy explosive ordnance disposal expert, had just undergone another surgery related to his injuries from nine years ago in Syria. She added, “It’s incredibly overwhelming. Kenton is fighting his own battles, as are our kids and I. Balancing everything is tough, particularly since our oldest son has cerebral palsy and needs constant care.”
During his 2018 State of the Union address, President Trump acknowledged Stacy’s sacrifices for the country.
Army Staff Sergeant Justin Peck heroically jumped into the rigged building to save Kenton, with medics performing CPR for over two hours to ensure his survival.
“If it weren’t for Justin’s selfless love for his comrades, Kenton Stacy would not be alive today. Kenton is now recovering in Texas, and Raqqa is free,” the sentiment expressed was one of honor.
In April, a landmark ruling saw the French court convict Lafarge, the largest cement company globally, of providing support to a terrorist organization, resulting in a six-year prison sentence for its former CEO. Additionally, eight former employees of Lafarge faced convictions.
The company noted that the court’s findings labeled the situation a “legacy issue” and acknowledged it as a “serious violation” of its Code of Conduct.
The initial lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of New York involves close to 1,000 plaintiffs, mainly from military families.
“They were killed in Syria by a terrorist group that Lafarge was partly funding, and that’s not just some allegation. It’s a confirmed fact; Lafarge admitted to this in their plea in 2022,” an attorney mentioned.
Todd Toral, an attorney with Jenner & Block, is representing Stacy and about 25 other families in seeking compensation from the $777 million Lafarge agreed to pay the Justice Department as part of a settlement. The Department has been holding these funds since October 2022.
“The French court’s decision is significant, marking the first time in years that companies—and their executives—are held accountable for illegal activities that support terrorism,” Toral added in a Fox interview.
To maintain operations in ISIS-controlled areas, Lafarge paid over $6.5 million to ISIS via its Syrian branch between 2013 and 2014.
The cement created at the Jarabiya factory, which Lafarge had acquired for $680 million before unrest began in Syria in 2011, was used in construction of tunnels and bunkers for terrorist groups.
The case is notable as it marks the first instance of a company facing U.S. charges related to aiding a terrorist organization.
In October 2022, Lafarge reached a settlement with the Justice Department, paying more than $777 million into a fund intended for compensating victims of ISIS attacks, including families like that of Haley Dayton. Her father was the first American killed by ISIS in Syria on Thanksgiving 2016.
“I was only 15 when my dad was taken from us,” Haley recounted from her home in Florida. “I remember thinking he had returned home when I saw men dressed in Navy uniform. Opening the door brought me face to face with their tearful expressions instead.”
The Biden Justice Department has so far rejected requests to disburse the Lafarge funds while legal proceedings were ongoing in France. Mr. Lafarge was convicted in April by the same court.
In February, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) inquired of then-Attorney General Pam Bondi about when those funds might be released to the families.
Bondi reassured him of their awareness of the situation and their commitment to support victims. That was over a year ago, yet compensation funds still haven’t been allocated.
The plaintiffs, most of whom are military families, believe the decision on funding release lies with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
“It feels like we’re being overlooked. My dad served 23 years after enlisting at just 19,” Dayton reflected, noting the need for action from the Justice Department.
Lindsey Stacy shared the financial strains her family faces due to Kenton’s injuries. Still, she pointed out, “Many families could benefit from this fund. It’s been nearly nine years. Seeing justice served is a relief.”
“They’ve been sentenced in their own country. This fight has been lengthy; it would be comforting to care for our families knowing they stand beside us,” she concluded.
Toral emphasized the need for appropriate compensation for families who lost loved ones, stating, “They deserve better treatment from the U.S.” ahead of Memorial Day.
The Department of Justice, overseeing the $777 million Lafarge forfeited, stated: “We are committed to providing full compensation to victims within legal limits. While unable to discuss ongoing matters, we assure due process in evaluating claims for our brave service members.”
