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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Since You Asked: Canned corn OK for fishing, not for chumming ... Last hours of armed standoff play out online for listeners ... UPDATED: Oregon Senate approves bill to increase minimum wage ... Since You Asked: Canned corn OK for fishing, not for chumming ... Last hours of armed standoff play out online for listeners ... UPDATED: Oregon Senate approves bill to increase minimum wage ... IRAQ WAR Taxpayers responsible for $30 million in legal fees in Oregon soldiers' case Oregon soldiers say they were exposed to toxic chemicals Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Sep. 2, 2015 at 5:24 PM Updated Sep 2, 2015 at 5:25 PM By The Associated Press Posted Sep. 2, 2015 at 5:24 PM Updated Sep 2, 2015 at 5:25 PM » Social News PORTLAND — Taxpayers are responsible for $30 million in legal fees a military contractor has spent defending itself against a lawsuit from Oregon soldiers who say the company exposed them to toxic chemicals in Iraq. A Portland judge ruled the Pentagon's contract exempts Kellogg, Brown and Root from paying the fees, which include first-class airfare, billing up to $750 per hour, and $500,000 paid to an expert witness who fell asleep during a deposition, The Oregonian reported. There were 800 soldiers who guarded a water treatment facility in southern Iraq's oil fields, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has acknowledged they were exposed to sodium chromate. A lawsuit filed by Houston Lawyer Mike Doyle on behalf of 159 veterans says KBR exposed service members to sodium dichromate, which caused respiratory ailments. They fear a carcinogen in the toxin could cause cancer. An $85 million jury award was thrown out in May over a jurisdiction issue. The case will likely head to federal court. "As a taxpayer, it's unbelievable that you'd be given incentive for the worst kind of misconduct," Doyle said. Oregon's Democratic congressional leaders had urged the Pentagon to step in, saying this summer that they were outraged the contractor would seek $850,000 in legal fees. Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh wrote in an Aug. 4 letter that the Army is staying neutral on the issue. "While the Army will continue to cooperate with all of the parties to these cases through its published litigation regulations, the Army does not currently intend to recommend that the Department of Justice take control of these cases and, thus, assume financial responsibility for any liability that KBR may have." By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Sep. 2, 2015 at 5:24 PM Updated Sep 2, 2015 at 5:25 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501