LaLota Applauds Release of Navy Lt. Ridge Alkonis, Calls for Congress to Pass Bill to Protect Servicemembers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - New York First Congressional District Representative Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County), a Navy Veteran and a member of the Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after it was announced that U.S. Navy Lt. Ridge Alkonis would be coming home from Japanese prison.
“I am thrilled to see Lt. Alkonis is returning home after being unjustly imprisoned in Japan. I met with his incredible wife and children this year and have consistently called for our government to bring him home,” said LaLota. “Congress must now pass my Safeguarding Our Forces Abroad Act to ensure other servicemembers are treated better than the substandard way Lt. Alkonis was treated. It is imperative we do everything we can to support our men and women in uniform, and making sure they are afforded Due Process, including the right to counsel, sends a clear message that the United States stands with and supports those who defend our freedoms.”
LaLota Meeting with the Alkonis Family in July of 2023
Background:
Since being sworn into office in January, LaLota has consistently called for the release of U.S. Navy Lt. Ridge Alkonis. In May, LaLota introduced the Safeguarding Our Forces Abroad (SOFA) Act, which would require the Secretary of Defense, at a rate of one percent per month, to reduce the number of Armed Forces stationed in a “covered nation” where a binding and enforceable Status of Forces Agreement is not in place.
Alkonis, who was stationed in Japan, was sentenced to three years in a Japanese prison in October 2021 for negligent driving resulting in the death of two people and injuries to a third person in May 2021. He said he suffered from acute mountain sickness as he was driving with his family from Mount Fuji, which caused him to lose consciousness. That argument was rejected by the court. His appeal was denied in July 2022.
Alkonis’ family argued he was ill, not negligent, and therefore committed no crime. They have also noted that they offered the victims’ families over $1 million in restitution, as is customary in Japan.
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