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Leonard Glenn Francis, aka “Fat Leonard,” will be sentenced next week following his conviction, dramatic escape from custody and recapture in one of the largest bribery and corruption scandals in U.S. military history.
Francis is due to appear in US court in San Diego on Tuesday, 11 years after his first arrest and two years after he cut off his ankle monitor and fled to Venezuela. He returned to US custody in December following his arrest by Venezuelan authorities and a prisoner swap between the two countries.
Under plea deal, 6’3″, 350-pound Malaysian former defense contractor who bribed hundreds of people Marine officers confidential information for more than 20 years could carry a prison sentence of less than a year, court documents show.
The deal comes after ‘Fat Leonard’ admitted to defrauding the US government and US taxpayers of at least $35 million until he was caught in a sting operation in 2013. After his arrest, nearly 1,000 naval officers were put under scrutiny, including 91 admirals. .
‘Fat Leonard’ captured; Mastermind of naval corruption scandal arrested in Venezuela after weeks on the run
Leonard Glenn Francis, alias ‘Fat Leonard’, pleaded guilty to bribery and fraud in one of the largest corruption scandals in US military history.
Federal prosecutors charged criminal prosecution against 34 defendants, 33 of whom were convicted after Francis provided information to authorities while in US custody. Francis could have been sentenced to up to 22 years in prison for his crimes, but the Justice Department has sought a much lighter sentence in light of his cooperation, court documents show.
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“Perhaps a harsher sentence would be warranted given Francis’s egregious and long-standing criminal conduct, as well as his breach of the Court’s trust regarding his release on medical leave. But the substantial assistance Francis provides cannot be ignored, and the extent and significance of his cooperation cannot be overstated, regardless of what one thinks of the individual or his underlying criminal conduct,” wrote U.S. Attorney Tara K. McGrath.
Francis was arrested at a San Diego hotel nearly a decade ago as part of a federal sting operation. Investigators say he cheated the U.S. military out of more than $35 million by buying up dozens of high-ranking Navy officers with booze, sex, lavish parties and other gifts.
‘Fat Leonard’ cuts off ankle monitor weeks before sentencing in $35 million US Navy corruption scandal
The scandal led to the conviction and sentencing of nearly two dozen Navy officials, defense contractors and others on various charges of fraud and corruption. Investigators say Francis, who owned and operated his family’s ship maintenance business, abused his position as a key point of contact for U.S. Navy stores at ports across Asia, wooing Navy officers with Kobe beef, expensive cigars, concert tickets and wild sex parties in luxury. hotels from Thailand to the Philippines.
He pleaded guilty allegations of bribery and fraud in 2015 and was placed under house arrest in San Diego with a GPS monitor and guards.
But while awaiting sentencing, Francis slipped off his ankle monitor and disappeared.
We exchange Maduro ally with Venezuela for 10 Americans, including ‘Fat Leonard’
He did not respond to messages and knocks on his door from federal agents who noticed his monitor had gone offline. His home was found empty after police conducted a welfare check that afternoon.
“He was planning this, that’s for sure,” U.S. Marshal Omar Castillo told the San Diego Union-Tribune at the time, adding that neighbors said they saw a U-Haul loading in the weeks leading up to his escape.
The U.S. Marshals had offered a $40,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
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Francis was arrested by Venezuelan authorities, who had been told by Interpol that he was a wanted man. Venezuelan officials said he planned to reach Russia.
The Biden administration secured Francis’ extradition and the release of 10 other prisoners by Venezuela in exchange for Alex Saab, a Colombian-born businessman and close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was indicted in the US on money laundering charges . This is reported by the Associated Press.
Fox News Digital’s Liz Friden, Jennifer Griffin, Brie Stimson and Associated Press contributed to this report.
Original article source: ‘Fat Leonard’ is convicted in Navy bribery scandal