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September 22 (UPI) – A fugitive former defense contractor known as “Fat Leonard” who was behind one of the largest bribery scandals in U.S. military history has been arrested in South America, authorities said.
Leonard Glenn Francis, a Malaysian man who did contract work for the U.S. Navy, was arrested in Venezuela after fleeing the country to avoid a U.S. sentence, Interpol authorities said on Wednesday.
Francis pleaded guilty to related bribery charges in 2015, but he was not sentenced early because he was also a witness and helped U.S. prosecutors deal with other defendants and charges.
Authorities said Francis was placed under house arrest in San Diego earlier this month when he cut off his GPS tracking bracelet and fled.
Interpol official Carlos Garate Rondon said Francis had traveled to Venezuela via Mexico and tried to leave he was caught. he now facing extradition to the United States.
Francis has admitted to a wide-ranging bribery scandal involving U.S. Navy personnel rare in size and scope. Over the years, he has offered money, gifts and many other forms of bribes to military personnel in exchange for U.S. cooperation on some activities, bringing him huge sums of money.
Prosecutors say Francis defrauded the US Navy of at least $35 million.
The investigation into Francis’ activities involved multiple overseas ports, including Singapore, Tokyo, Bangkok and Manila.
The investigation led to the arrest of many Navy officials for corruption. In return, certain Navy personnel agreed to send the vessel to a port operated by Francis’ contracting company. The arrangement brought Francis millions of dollars.
As part of the plea deal, Francis Admits to defrauding the U.S. Navy Tens of millions of dollars in losses through overcharging for services such as fuel and sewage treatment.
Francis, 58, faces up to 25 years in prison.
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