WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- A Green Beret sergeant was electrocuted in Iraq in 2008 because of failures by the U.S. military and a major defense contractor , which did not properly ground and inspect electrical equipment , according to a Pentagon report out Monday . Staff Sgt . Ryan Maseth , a 24-year-old Green Beret , died in a shower at his base in Iraq in January 2008 . Nine of 18 electrocution deaths reported in Iraq were caused by `` improper grounding or faulty equipment , '' including the January 2008 death of Staff Sgt . Ryan Maseth , the Defense Department 's inspector-general found . Investigations remain open in five of those cases , according to a summary of the report obtained by CNN . The new report concluded that `` multiple systems and organizations failed , '' leaving Maseth `` exposed to unacceptable risk . '' The decorated soldier from Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , was electrocuted in a shower at a U.S. base in Baghdad that once served as one of Saddam Hussein 's palaces . The report found that a water pump installed by military contractor KBR was not grounded , leading to Maseth 's electrocution when it short-circuited . It found that Maseth 's commanders failed to ensure that renovations to the palace had been properly done , the Army did not set standards for jobs or contractors , and KBR did not ground electrical equipment it installed at the facility . The Houston , Texas-based company has defended its performance in the war zone from extensive criticism by Congress and has argued that it was not to blame for any fatalities . In a statement issued Monday afternoon , it said it had not seen the Pentagon report and would not comment . `` While the death of Staff Sgt . Maseth was tragic , KBR continues to maintain that it was not responsible for his death , '' company spokeswoman Heather Browne said . `` The building in which Staff Sgt . Maseth lived was built by Iraqi and other contractors under the previous Iraqi leadership . '' Brown said the building , `` like many other pre-existing buildings in Iraq , had not been grounded or bonded by the contractors who built the structure , '' and she said KBR had warned the military about the hazard nine months before Maseth died . `` Prior to that incident , the military never directed KBR to repair , upgrade or improve the grounding system in the building in which Maseth resided , nor was KBR directed to perform any preventive maintenance at this facility , '' Browne said . But Maseth 's mother , who has filed suit against KBR in her son 's death , said she was `` pleased '' by the findings . `` The results are revealing and contrary to what KBR and its president have continuously stated over the past year , '' Cheryl Harris said . `` On that note , the DOD IG report states that KBR installed the water pump that killed my son , a point that KBR has flatly denied over the past year . '' Maseth 's death led to congressional hearings in 2008 and demands for a full investigation by the military , which resulted in the report out Monday . Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey , who pushed for the investigation , said Monday 's report should not be the end of the process . `` We can not stop with the publication of this report alone , '' the Democrat said in a written statement . `` Those who failed to carry out their contractual obligations in a way that contributed to the death of a U.S. soldier should be held fully accountable for their negligence . '' Another report is being prepared by the Army 's Criminal Investigation Division , Casey said . Maseth 's family and that of Christopher Everett , another soldier mentioned in the report , have sued KBR over their deaths . Everett , an Army sergeant , was electrocuted in 2005 while using a power washer at an American base outside Ramadi . Other deaths the inspector-general 's report found were caused by faulty electrical equipment or improper grounding include the death of Army Spc . Marvin Campo-Siles in April 2004 in Samarra ; Spc . Chase Whitham , May 2004 , in Mosul ; Spc . Marcus Nolasco , also May 2004 , in Baiji ; Marine Pfc . Brian Cutter , in Fallujah , the same month ; Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class David Cedergren , killed in Iskandariya in September 2004 ; Sgt . Michael Montpetit , who died in Baghdad in June 2007 ; and Sohan Singh , a private contractor killed in Fallujah in July 2005 . In March , a top Army inspector said that thousands of buildings on U.S. bases in Iraq and Afghanistan have such poorly installed wiring that American troops face life-threatening risks . Jim Childs , a master electrician and the top civilian expert in an Army safety survey , said problems were `` everywhere '' in Iraq , where 18 U.S. troops have died by electrocution since 2003 . The nine electrocutions not caused by faulty grounding were caused by other electrical accidents , such as contact with live power lines . CNN 's Matt Smith contributed to this report .
KBR denies responsibility ; soldier 's mother `` pleased '' Report looks into September 2004 death of U.S. in shower at Green Beret base . Inspector : 18 deaths caused by improper grounding or faulty equipment . Fault placed with commanders , Chase Whitham , contractor KBR .