FAMILY OF TEO PETER

Contact John Gurley at:
202-857-6301
gurley.john@arentfox.com

  Family of Teo Peter Files Wrongful Death Claim
With U.S. Department of Defense; Plans Cultural Foundation

BUCHAREST, Romania—July 20, 2006—A formal claim has been filed on behalf of the family of Teo Peter asking the U.S. Army to form a special commission to decide the amount of a monetary compensation for his wrongful death. Peter, a well-known Romanian rock star and concert organizer, was killed Dec. 4, 2004, when a car driven by Staff Sgt. Christopher R. VanGoethem, 31, former commander of the Marine security detachment at the U.S. Embassy, collided with a taxi carrying the 50-year-old Peter.

The unexpected verdict in the court-martial of VanGoethem has had a huge and continued impact on the Romanian populace, which has largely been very pro-American in the past. After the court-martial results were released, the U.S. government indicated it would work with the Peter family to find a just resolution to this tragedy.

Peter was an important cultural figure in Romania , and his family and the country still mourn his loss. The claim was filed July 20 with the assistance of the Washington, D.C.-based law firm of Arent Fox. John Gurley, an Arent Fox lawyer involved in the action, said, “ Romania is a n important U.S. ally and has supported difficult U.S. actions both in Iraq and Afghanistan by sending Romanian troops. W e hope the U.S. military will do the right thing to compensate the Peter family -- and remove this tragic incident from the U.S.-Romania agenda. ”

Dorin Peter, brother of Teo Peter, said: “This tragedy did not need to happen. Given the unfair verdict, we hope that the U.S. government will live up to the American tradition of justice and fairly compensate our family and our country for our loss .”

Romanian authorities support the Peter Family and have provided assistance from experts within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice.

The family of Peter intends to establish a cultural foundation to honor the memory of Peter and to benefit young Romanian musicians.

According to Gurley, the United States government has settled many claims under the FCA with significant compensation awards. Officials with the U.S. Army and the U.S. Department of Defense are expected to review the claim and make a decision in the next few months.

For further information contact: John Gurley of Arent Fox, 1050 Connecticut Avenue, NW , Washington , D.C. 20036 at 202-857-6301; Mr. Gurley's email address is gurley.john@arentfox.com .

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