Former Defense Contractor Leonard “Fat Leonard” Sentenced to 15 Years for Bribery Scheme Involving US Navy Officers

 

Leonard "Fat Leonard" Francis, the former military defense contractor behind one of the largest bribery schemes in U.S. military history, was sentenced on Tuesday to 15 years in prison for his role in a decade-long corruption plot that ensnared numerous U.S. Navy officers. The sentence also includes a $20 million restitution payment to the Navy and a $150,000 fine, along with the forfeiture of $35 million in proceeds from his criminal activities, as ordered by U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino.

Francis, who had pleaded guilty to bribery and fraud charges in 2015, was also sentenced for skipping his original 2022 sentencing hearing. After cutting off his GPS ankle monitor while under house arrest, Francis fled the country, only to be apprehended in Venezuela and returned to the U.S. in December 2023. For this act of evasion, he was sentenced to an additional 16 months in prison, to be served consecutively with his previous sentence.

Tara McGrath, a U.S. attorney, condemned Francis's actions, stating, “Leonard Francis lined his pockets with taxpayer dollars while undermining the integrity of U.S. Naval forces. The impact of his deceit and manipulation will be long felt, but justice has been served today.”

The case, which began with Francis's arrest in 2013, led to one of the largest bribery investigations in U.S. military history. Over two dozen Navy officials, defense contractors, and others were convicted for their roles in the scheme. Francis, who ran the Singapore-based Glenn Defense Marine Asia Ltd (GDMA), supplied critical services like food, water, and fuel to U.S. Navy vessels in Asia. For over two decades, he cultivated relationships with Navy officers, offering them luxury gifts, expensive experiences, and even illicit parties in exchange for information and lucrative contracts.

In return, the officers involved provided Francis with classified information, steered ships to ports where his company had exclusive contracts, and allowed him to overcharge the Navy for services or even bill for non-existent services. Francis's actions led to the loss of at least $35 million from the Navy, with bribes totaling more than $500,000.

After his guilty plea, Francis cooperated with the investigation, which led to the conviction of several Navy officials, including the first active-duty admiral convicted of a federal crime. Despite his cooperation, Francis's case became more complicated when he evaded justice by fleeing the country before his sentencing in 2022.

In a separate legal issue, the U.S. attorney’s office handling the case faced criticism for prosecutorial misconduct. Four Navy officers had their felony convictions vacated after allegations that critical information had been withheld from defense attorneys. In response, they were allowed to plead guilty to misdemeanors and fined $100 each.

Despite his legal troubles, Francis's case remains one of the most notorious examples of military corruption, reflecting the severe consequences of bribery within the ranks of the U.S. Navy.