Gulf War Vet has to sue to get off terror watch list

Ex-soldier sues over terror watch list claim

By Peter Jackson - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Aug 20, 2008 13:15:51 EDT

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A former Army pilot and convert to Islam who said his name is on the U.S. government’s secret terrorist watch list has fought back, filing a federal lawsuit against the Homeland Security Department and various other federal agencies.

Erich Scherfen said unless his name is removed from the list, he faces losing not only his job as a commercial airline pilot but the ability to make a living in his chosen profession.

“My livelihood depends on being off this list,” Scherfen told reporters Tuesday after his lawyers filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Harrisburg.

He alleged that the government’s actions have violated his and his wife’s constitutional rights. The suit seeks a hearing and a decision before he is scheduled to lose his job Sept. 1.

Scherfen, 37, who served 16 years in the Army, said he believes his name was placed on a watch list because he converted to Islam in 1994 — even though he is a 1991 Persian Gulf War combat veteran. Both he and his Pakistan-born wife, who is also a Muslim, said they have no criminal records or ties to terrorists.
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