Clinton, Schumer, King Welcome News Of Long Island Pilots' Release

Clinton, Schumer, King Welcome News Of Long Island Pilots' Release

Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton and Representative Peter King today welcomed news of the release of the passports of Joseph Lepore and Jan Paladino, the two pilots involved in the collision that occurred in Brazil between Gol Airlines Flight #1907 and an American Legacy jet on September 29. The pilots were forced to surrender their passports in early October while the Brazilian government said they would conduct an investigation.

Today, the Federal Regional Court of the First Region of Brasilia said it had released the passports of the two pilots, who can pick up their passports and leave the country in 72 hours. Senators Schumer and Clinton and Representative King wrote to Secretary Rice asking for the Administration to get involved in the pilots' return.

"Now that Brazil's courts have done the right thing by ruling in favor of Joseph Lepore and Jan Paladino, it will indeed be a blessed holiday season as they rejoin their loved ones," said Senator Schumer. "They have reaffirmed that they will remain available for the follow-up investigation of this tragic crash. Given that this investigation may take over a year, and that there is no compelling indication that they have done anything wrong, it would be inappropriate if they were forced to stay in Brazil during the whole process."

"I am pleased that that the Brazilian courts have ruled that there were no legal grounds for preventing Mr. Lepore and Mr. Paladino from coming home from Brazil, and that they will be able to rejoin their families in time for the upcoming holiday season. The pilots have committed to continue their cooperation after returning to New York and it is appropriate that they are being allowed to return home," Senator Clinton said.

"I am very gratified that the Brazilian government has decided to release the passports of Joseph Lepore and Jan Paladino and allow them to return to Long Island. This is clearly the right decision and I applaud the court for its unanimous judgment. It is a first, positive step to clear the pilots of all wrongdoing," Representative King said.

http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/record.cfm?id=266776&&year=2006&