A Malaysian businessman, Leonard Glenn Francis, known as “Fat Leonard,” has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for orchestrating the largest corruption scandal in US Navy history and for evading his initial sentencing.
The 60-year-old admitted in 2015 to bribing senior Navy officials with millions of dollars, luxury gifts, prostitutes, and high-end liquor and cigars, allowing him access to classified information and overcharging the Navy by $35 million.
Although scheduled for sentencing in 2022, Francis escaped by cutting off his ankle monitor and was recaptured days later in Venezuela.
On Tuesday, he received an additional charge for fleeing, alongside his 2015 guilty plea. He was also ordered to pay a $150,000 fine and $20 million in restitution to the US Navy, while his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia, was fined $36 million and placed on five years’ probation.
US Attorney Tara McGrath stated, “Leonard Francis lined his pockets with taxpayer dollars while undermining the integrity of US Naval forces.
“The impact of his deceit and manipulation will be long felt, but justice has been served today.”
The “Fat Leonard” scandal has since eroded trust within the Navy, as Francis provided investigators with extensive information, implicating numerous Navy officials from petty officers to admirals in his corruption scheme.
The Director of the US Defense Department’s Inspector General, Kelly Mayo, said, “Mr. Francis’ actions not only degraded the 7th Fleet’s readiness but shook the Fleet’s trust in its leadership who furthered his corrupt practices.”
