Local official asks Hillary Clinton to press Angola to release two Morris Township residents
Posted by Kevin Coughlin on January 27, 2012 · Leave a Comment
A Morris Township official has asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to ramp up efforts to free two local residents who have been detained in Angola for 28 days.
“I ask that you increase your efforts and the efforts of the United States Government to bring home Patrick [Allocco] and Patrick Jr. They are our countrymen and my neighbors and friends,” wrote Deputy Mayor Bruce Sisler in a letter to the Secretary.
Concert promoter Patrick Allocco, right, with Jon Bon Jovi. Patrick has been detained in Angola in a dispute with a local promoter. Photo: Facebook
The Alloccos have been held since the rapper NAS failed to appear for a New Year’s Eve concert in Angola. Patrick Allocco, the concert promoter, said Friday that it’s been three days since $300,000 paid to the performer has been returned.
“Today’s deal du jour from the local promoter is that we pay an immediate additional $50,000 and then defer $25,000 in installments upon our return home,” Patrick said on Facebook.
“This, of course, contradicts the Public Prosecutor who has already called for our release upon the return of the $300,000. And how about the early release of my son? We are now in the fourth weekend of what our American counterparts in Egypt have dubbed ‘de facto detention.’ We continue to be held by the government of Angola for no reason that should be acceptable to the United States.”
Bruce Sisler added that he has spoken with Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th Dist.), who he said is working with the State Department on this matter.
