The downfall of ‘Fat Leonard’: military contractor and US Navy captain admit bribery

A Malaysian military contractor at the centre of one of the Navy’s worst corruption cases pleaded guilty to bribery and conspiracy charges in US federal court — only hours after a second commander admitted to providing him classified information in exchange for lavish hotel rooms and prostitution services.

Leonard Glenn Francis, the chief executive of a Singapore company that has serviced Navy vessels at Asian ports for 25 years, held his hands behind his back and twiddled his fingers as he told the judge he was changing his plea to guilty on Thursday.

Known in military circles as “Fat Leonard” because of his large size, Francis and his firm obtained classified information that allowed his company to overbill the U.S. military by at least US$20 million (HK$155 million), according to the plea agreement. Prosecutors say he provided lavish hotel rooms, prostitutes and plane tickets to Navy officials who cooperated.

“Today Mr Leonard Francis has taken accountability for his actions. He looks forward to a brighter future,” his attorney, Ethan M. Posner, said.

Francis faces up to 25 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced in April. He and his firm also must forfeit US$35 million, according to the plea agreement.

In the same courthouse earlier, Capt. Daniel Dusek became the second Navy commander to enter a guilty plea after making his first appearance in federal court in San Diego and waiving his right to present his case before a federal grand jury.