The 'Fat
Leonard' case as it has come to be known has shocked the US navy to its core.
It is a tale of bribery and corruption on an unprecedented scale. The scandal
takes its
name from Leonard Glenn Francis - nicknamed 'Fat Leonard' - a 51yr
old Malaysian defense contractor who pleaded guilty to defrauding the military
out of millions with active participation of senior military figures.
The latest
officers to be named in the case are Nine current and former military officers
namely: Rear Admiral Bruce Loveless, Captain Donald Hornbeck, Captain David
Lausman, Marine Colonel Enrico de Guzman, warrant officer Robert Gorsuch, Captain
James Dolan, and Commander Stephen Shedd, they referred to themselves as the
Lion King's Harem, the Wolfpack, the Cool Kids and the Brotherhood.
According to the justice department, these
nine took bribes from Francis in return for handing over secrets which the
businessman used to defraud the US military out of millions of dollars. It is
alleged they took bribes in the form of expensive gifts, prostitutes and ritzy
hotel stays from 2006 to 2014, according to indictment documents.
In one instance, some of the men allegedly had
a $50,000 'multi-day party with a regular supply of prostitutes', and drank
every bottle of Dom Perignon during their stay in the presidential suite of the
Shangri La hotel. In another, they had an orgy using General Douglas MacArthur's
memorabilia in sexual acts. Court documents also claim the accused had a
$20,435 meal sponsored by Francis during a 2006 port visit to Hong Kong.
The papers claim another dinner during a port
call to Singapore that same year featured foie gras, oxtail soup, cognac that
cost about $2,000 a bottle and cigars at $2,000 a box. A third luxury dinner
was alleged in the documents, with this one taking place in Hong Kong in
January 2008. The entire bill for the lavish meal came in at $18,371. Francis developed
very deep contacts within the military, he was given confidential contracting
information which he exploited without fear of getting caught.
His military contacts even passed on
information on active law enforcement investigations about his own company. The
explosive case has seen 27 people charged, and around 200 under investigation.
13 defendants have pleaded guilty, including another admiral who was sentenced
in June and is believed to be the first active-duty Naval flag officer charged
in federal court. The case is still under investigation.
More photos of
the accused persons below...
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