US imprisons Malaysian ‘Fat Leonard’ over Navy’s biggest corruption scandal
US courts sentence a Malaysian businessman to 15 years behind bars for bribing Navy officials. Bribes included cash, prostitutes, liquor, and cigars.
United States Federal courts sentenced Leonard Glenn Francis, a central figure in a colossal bribery and fraud case involving the U.S. Navy, Tuesday in San Diego to 15 years in federal prison.
Francis, 60, a Malaysian citizen, was also ordered to pay $20 million in restitution to the Navy and forfeit $35 million in proceeds linked to his elaborate scheme, which exploited high-ranking Navy officials for personal gain.
“Leonard Francis lined his pockets with taxpayer dollars while undermining the integrity of U.S. Naval forces,” stated U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “The impact of his deceit and manipulation will be long felt, but justice has been served today.”
The bribery scheme, which unfolded over a decade, revealed that Francis and his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia (GDMA), enticed Navy officials with luxury gifts, cash, and lavish entertainment in exchange for confidential Navy information and preferential treatment in contracts.
According to the court press release, gifts included $500,000 in cash, “hundreds of thousands of dollars in the services of prostitutes,” ornamental swords, and even Spanish suckling pigs
"Francis’ actions not only degraded the 7th Fleet’s readiness but shook the Fleet’s trust in its leadership," said Kelly P. Mayo, Director of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.
The Malaysian businessman, also known as “Fat Leonard” due to his large stature, originally entered a plea deal with U.S. authorities in 2015 after having been arrested two years prior, however fled the U.S. in 2022 after cutting off his GPS monitor while under house arrest.
He traveled first to Mexico, then Cuba, and finally Venezuela. Captured over a year later, he was returned to the U.S. in December 2023 to face sentencing.
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