“Fat Leonard” Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Massive U.S. Navy Bribery Scandal

On Tuesday, Leonard "Fat Leonard" Francis, a former defense contractor at the center of one of the most significant bribery scandals in the annals of the United States military, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. In addition, Judge Janis L. Sammartino of the U.S. District Court imposed a $150,000 fine, a $20 million restitution, and the forfeiture of $35 million in illicit profits.

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A decade-long conspiracy that involved the bribery of dozens of U.S. Navy officers was orchestrated by Francis, the former CEO of Glenn Defense Marine Asia and a Malaysian national. Officers provided classified information and redirected military vessels to ports controlled by Francis in exchange for luxurious gifts, lavish parties, and extravagant dinners. Francis then overcharged the Navy or billed for nonexistent services. The prosecution of nearly two dozen military officials resulted from this extensive corruption.

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Francis was first apprehended in 2013 and subsequently pled guilty to bribery and fraud in 2015. He subsequently cooperated with authorities in their investigations. He evaded house arrest in 2022 by disconnecting his GPS monitor while awaiting sentencing. In late 2023, he was apprehended in Venezuela following an international pursuit.

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U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath underscored that Francis's actions undermined trust and military integrity during Tuesday's sentencing. She stated, "The repercussions of his deception and manipulation will be felt for years to come, but justice has been served today."

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This high-profile case has been tainted by allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, as the convictions of four former Navy officers were recently reduced from felonies to misdemeanors as a result of withheld evidence.

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