Americas News
Another U.S. Navy Officer Guilty in Fat Leonard Scandal
Another U.S. Navy officer last week pled guilty at the federal court in San Diego to bribery and corruption charges in the evolving "Fat Leonard" scandal, Reuters report.
Lieutenant Commander Todd Malaki admitted to one count of supplying information to Leonard Glenn Francis, also known as Fat Leonard, with classified Navy schedules and information about competitors.
In return, Malaki is said to have received benefits totalling around $15,000, through luxury hotel stays in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tonga as well as the services of a prostitute and cash.
Malaki is said to be the eighth person to plead guilty to charges relating to Francis's naval contractor business Glenn Defense Marine Asia (GDMA).
"Another Navy officer has now pleaded guilty and admitted to taking bribes to reveal classified military information to a major supplier," said Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell.
"It is both troubling and disappointing how many Navy officers we have exposed as willingly falling prey to GDMA's corruption, and our investigation remains active and ongoing."
In previous reports, GDMA is said to have held more than $200 million worth of contracts to supply ships, fuel, and other services to the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet in Pacific ports.
Francis and GDMA are said to have used classified information to win U.S. Navy contracts, as well as overcharge it to the tune of $20 million.
In January, Francis changed his plea at the San Diego court to "guilty," having protested innocence at first.
In February, three U.S. Navy Rear Admirals were said to be set to receive letters of censure after being caught up in the Fat Leonard scandal.
