Steven L. Jordan

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Lt. Col. Steven L. Jordan is a military intelligence officer for the United States Army. He volunteered to return to active duty to support the war in Iraq, and was a director of the Joint Interrogation Debriefing Center.^[1]

In a report by Army Maj. Gen. Antonio Tagbua, Jordan was among several described as being "directly or indirectly responsible for the abuses at Abu Ghraib".^[2] Jordan supervised the interrogation task force at Abu Ghraib, and was the second highest ranking military intelligence officer there, serving under Col. Thomas Pappas who has been granted immunity from prosecution so that he can testify against Jordan. ^[3] On April 28, 2006, Jordan became the highest ranking Army officer to face charges relating to the Abu Ghraib abuse when charges were filed against him, including oppressing detainees, lying about abuse, and dereliction of duty.^[4]

[edit] Recommendations of the Fay report

Major General George Fay and Lieutenant General Anthony Jones were appointed to look into the abuse at Abu Ghraib.^[5] In an appendix the report contained recommendations as to the actions the authorities should take against the officers and men implicated in the abuse — including Lieutenant Colonel Jordan:

Finding: LTC Stephen L. Jordan, Director, Joint Interrogation Debriefing Center. A preponderance of evidence supports that LTC Jordan did, or failed to do, the following:

Failed to properly train Soldiers and civilians on the ICRP.
Failed to take full responsibility for his role as the Director, JIDC.
Failed to establish the necessary checks and balances to prevent and detect abuses.
Was derelict in his duties by failing to establish order and enforce proper use of ICRP during the night of 24 November 2003 (IP Roundup) which contributed to a chaotic situation in which detainees were abused.
Failed to prevent the unauthorized use of dogs and the humiliation of detainees who were kept naked for no acceptable purpose while he was the senior officer-in-charge in the Hard Site.
Failed to accurately and timely relay critical information to COL Pappas, such as:
- The incident where a detainee had obtained a weapon.
- ICRC issues.
Was deceitful during this, as well as the MG Taguba, investigations. His recollection of facts, statements, and incidents were always recounted to avoid blame or responsibility. His version of events frequently diverged from most others.
Failed to obey a lawful order to refrain from contacting anyone except his attorney regarding this investigation. He conducted an e-mail campaign soliciting support from others involved in the investigation.