A Malaysian businessman at the center of the largest corruption scandal to ever shake the U.S. Navy was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on Tuesday. Leonard Glenn Francis, better known as “Fat Leonard,” was convicted for his role in bribing Navy officials and defrauding the U.S. military of millions of dollars through his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia.
Francis, 60, pleaded guilty in 2015 to a series of criminal charges related to bribery, fraud, and conspiracy. Over the course of several years, he used cash, luxury gifts, prostitutes, and lavish travel experiences to secure classified information from high-ranking Navy officials. In return, Francis’s company overcharged the Navy by $35 million for services provided to the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet, which operates in the Indo-Pacific region.
While his sentencing was initially scheduled for 2022, Francis evaded justice by cutting off his court-ordered ankle monitor and going on the run. He was recaptured in September 2022 in Venezuela while attempting to flee to Russia, just days after his escape.
At his sentencing on Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office highlighted Francis’s cooperation with federal authorities in uncovering the extent of his corrupt activities. The sentence reflected both his admissions from the 2015 guilty plea and his recent guilty plea to charges of skipping the original sentencing hearing. Additionally, the court fined Francis $150,000 and ordered him to pay $20 million in restitution to the U.S. Navy.
The scandal, which became known as the “Fat Leonard” case due to Francis’s distinctive appearance, has had far-reaching consequences within the Navy. Francis’s company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia, was also sentenced to five years of probation and fined $36 million. U.S. officials have stated that the scandal severely damaged public trust in some Navy leaders and its effects will continue to reverberate for years.
Francis, who was arrested in California in 2013, was originally indicted for bribery and fraud. After his arrest, he assisted investigators in exposing a widespread network of corruption within the Navy, which involved not only mid-level officers but also high-ranking admirals. His cooperation led to numerous investigations, with Francis providing details on hundreds of Navy personnel, including petty officers and senior officials.
“The impact of his deceit and manipulation will be long felt, but justice has been served today,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath in a statement following the sentencing. “Leonard Francis lined his pockets with taxpayer dollars while undermining the integrity of U.S. Naval forces.”
Kelly Mayo, the Director of the Department of Defense’s Office of the Inspector General, also issued a statement emphasizing the gravity of Francis’s actions. “Mr. Francis’ sentencing brings closure to an expansive fraud scheme that he perpetrated against the U.S. Navy with assistance from various Navy officials,” Mayo said. “Mr. Francis’ actions not only degraded the 7th Fleet’s readiness but shook the Fleet’s trust in its leadership who furthered his corrupt practices.”
Francis’s case has come to symbolize the level of corruption that can undermine military readiness and operations, with U.S. officials now working to repair the damage caused by Francis’s fraudulent activities and restore trust in Navy leadership.
In a prisoner swap arrangement, Francis was returned to U.S. custody in December 2023, after being held in Venezuela for over a year. The deal saw the U.S. release a Venezuelan ally of President Nicolás Maduro in exchange for 10 American detainees.
Despite his cooperation with authorities, the court described Francis’s actions as “aggravated and egregious,” noting that the bribery scheme he fostered within the U.S. Navy had long-lasting consequences on both the Navy’s operational readiness and its public image.
