Leonard Glenn Francis, also known as “Fat Leonard,” is a former Malaysian defense contractor who bribed hundreds of Navy officers for classified information over 20 years, defrauding the U.S. government of at least $35 million. After being caught in a sting operation in 2013, nearly 1,000 Navy officers, including 91 admirals, came under scrutiny, and criminal charges were brought against 34 defendants. Francis bribed the Navy officers with expensive gifts, lavish meals, and orgies in exchange for classified information, leading to one of the largest scandals in U.S. Navy history.
A San Diego judge recently dismissed felony convictions for five military officers who admitted to accepting bribes from Francis, due to “prosecutorial errors.” The officials, including Lt. Cmdr. Stephen Shedd, Marine Corps Col. Enrico DeGuzman, and retired Navy officers Donald Hornbeck, Robert Gorsuch, and Jose Luis Sanchez, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges after their felony convictions were dismissed. This dismissal was not an indication that the officers did not commit the crimes for which they were charged, but rather because information had been withheld from the defense.
Investigative reporter Craig Whitlock, who has documented the Fat Leonard scandal for the past decade, revealed that Francis would entice Navy officers with extravagant gifts and parties, ultimately gaining control over them. Despite grossly overcharging on Navy contracts, the officers did not view Francis as a threat but rather as a patriotic ally. Francis used photos from the parties as leverage to manipulate officers into doing what he wanted, capitalizing on their vulnerability and trust in him.
In 2013, Francis was caught in a sting operation in San Diego and pleaded guilty in 2015 to offering over $500,000 in cash bribes to U.S. military officers. Despite his arrest, Francis continued his bribing until he escaped house arrest in 2022, eventually arriving in Venezuela. In December 2023, he was captured and sent back to the U.S. in a prisoner swap. Whitlock noted that most admirals and senior officers involved in the scandal received minimal punishment from the Navy, with many avoiding repercussions altogether, as they believed they would not be caught for their wrongful actions.
Francis’ ability to manipulate Navy officers through lavish gifts, parties, and bribes ultimately led to one of the largest scandals in Navy history. By exploiting their trust and patriotism, he was able to extract classified information and manipulate them for his own gain. Despite his capture and impending sentencing, the full extent of the scandal and the involvement of Navy personnel continue to be scrutinized. Whitlock’s investigation into the Fat Leonard scandal sheds light on the pervasive corruption within the Navy and the consequences of officers succumbing to bribery and manipulation.
