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Blackwater USA, the mercenary firm that wants to put a training camp in Potrero, has defended itself against charges of bullying the press. Miriam Raftery says that although she had a press pass and permission from a fire official to enter the property Blackwater seeks, Blackwater charged her with trespassing during the fire. Brian Bonfiglio, Blackwater representative, says Raftery was working "for personal gain, not journalism." Raftery responds that Bonfiglio's statement is "false and libelous. I entered the property solely to report on the fire, as I have been covering the Harris fire extensively" for two newspapers. Raymond Lutz, who was traveling with a NY Times reporter "was trespassing," says Bonfiglio. Since he has been threatened with a lawsuit, Lutz does not want to respond. However, a first amendment lawyer says that Lutz had the right to be on the property if he was with a reporter.
Blackwater USA, the mercenary firm that wants to put a training camp in Potrero, has defended itself against charges of bullying the press. Miriam Raftery says that although she had a press pass and permission from a fire official to enter the property Blackwater seeks, Blackwater charged her with trespassing during the fire. Brian Bonfiglio, Blackwater representative, says Raftery was working "for personal gain, not journalism." Raftery responds that Bonfiglio's statement is "false and libelous. I entered the property solely to report on the fire, as I have been covering the Harris fire extensively" for two newspapers. Raymond Lutz, who was traveling with a NY Times reporter "was trespassing," says Bonfiglio. Since he has been threatened with a lawsuit, Lutz does not want to respond. However, a first amendment lawyer says that Lutz had the right to be on the property if he was with a reporter.