M’sian Military Contractor Jailed 15 Years in America for Role in the US Navy’s “Biggest Bribery Scandal”

Malaysian military contractor Leonard Glenn Francis was sentenced to 15 years in prison in the US for running a decade-long bribery scheme that involved dozens of US Navy officers.

Known as “Fat Leonard,” he faces a $20 million (RM88.07 million) restitution to the Navy, a $150,000 (RM659,700) fine, and has also been ordered to forfeit $35 million (RM930 million) in ill-gotten gains from his crimes.

He cut off his GPS monitor during house arrest

According to a press release from the US Attorney’s Office in Southern California, Francis first pleaded guilty to bribery and fraud in 2015.

Since then, he’s cooperated extensively with the government, but he also pleaded guilty in 2022 for failing to show up for his original sentencing hearing.

Just before his sentencing in September 2022, Francis cut off his GPS monitor while under house arrest and fled the country. He was arrested in Venezuela and brought back to the U.S. in December 2023.

Francis pleaded guilty to all charges

The 60-year-old, a Malaysian citizen living in Singapore, was first arrested in the US in 2013 on corruption charges.

His company, Glenn Defence Marine Asia, gave millions of dollars worth of items and cash to US Navy personnel and staff to get their support during the procurement process and to get access to classified information.

District Judge Janis L. Sammartino sentenced him to over 13 and a half years for bribery and fraud, plus an additional 16 months for skipping court. The sentences are to be served consecutively.

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Also read: Fat Leonard, the Penang-born Malaysian Who Caused the BIGGEST US Navy Bribery Scandal