Utah man declined $100,000 offer to travel to Congo for ‘security job’ that was covert coup attempt

By HANNAH SCHOENBAUM
Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The friend of the son of a prominent Congolese opposition leader said he turned down a six-figure offer to travel there for the family’s security in this which turned out to be a failed coup attempt. Opposition leader Christian Malanga was killed in a shootout while resisting arrest after attacking the presidential palace in Kinshasa. His son, Marcel, tried unsuccessfully to recruit several of his former high school football teammates before Tyler Thompson, 21, agreed. Thompson and Marcel Malanga were reportedly arrested. Their friend Daniel Gonzalez said Marcel offered him up to $100,000 to work as security during the trip.