The family of a CIA contractor killed in the 2012 Benghazi attacks has filed claims seeking $2 million in damages from the CIA and State Department.
The heirs of Glen Doherty, a former U.S. Navy SEAL from Encinitas, filed a claim with the two government agencies last week alleging inadequate security at a U.S. diplomatic post and a nearby CIA compound in Benghazi, Libya. That claim seeks $1 million. Doherty's friend who is executor of his estate filed a similar claim seeking $1 million.
In a statement, Doherty's mother Barbara said the family is "reluctantly now proceeding to pursue those legal avenues open to us. We know Glen would have done anything to support the United States and protect our freedom as Americans."
Doherty's friends and family say they want answers, asking why terrorist threats in the area were ignored.
They question why Doherty and three other Americans — U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens, Information Management Officer Sean Smith of Clairemont and former U.S. Navy SEAL Tyrone Woods of Imperial Beach — did not get proper military support.
Doherty's friend and training partner Lance Cummings told NBC 7 around the gym, Doherty was a hero, and his presence is sorely missed.
"It doesn't hurt any less," he said. "Missing a teammate, a brother and a friend is going to hurt the rest of your life no matter what amount of time goes by. We miss Glen everyday."
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The Doherty family's lawyer said that the claims are required before a lawsuit against the government can be filed. The CIA and State Department declined to comment.
Separately, Doherty's family filed a lawsuit in California last week over a death benefit on a policy Doherty was required to take out as a CIA contractor. The suit claims the policy was essentially worthless to him because it would only pay benefits to a dependent like a wife or child, but Doherty was divorced without children.
