NCIS Successfully Captures Fat Leonard (once again)

By Nick Wadhams (Bloomberg) The Biden administration hailed a prisoner exchange with Venezuela on Wednesday as a diplomatic breakthrough between two adversaries. However, the main objective was the apprehension of a defense contractor known as "Fat Leonard," who orchestrated one of the Pentagon's most notorious corruption scandals.

Fat Leonard, whose real name is Leonard Francis, gained instant recognition among those familiar with the US military during the 2010s. Over several decades, he defrauded the US Navy of approximately $35 million through a scheme that involved bribing US ship commanders with cash, cigars, and prostitutes. These bribes were intended to secure an advantage in providing supplies and services for ships docking at Asian ports.

Adding to the embarrassment, Navy Francis managed to evade justice by fleeing the US weeks before his expected sentencing on bribery and fraud charges in 2022. After removing his ankle bracelet, he escaped from San Diego and made his way to Mexico and Cuba. However, Venezuelan authorities arrested him as he attempted to board a flight to Moscow.

Also Read: 'I Had The US Navy By The B*lls’ Says Fat Leonard In New Podcast Series

One of the most surprising elements of the deal announced on Wednesday was Venezuela's decision to return Francis to US custody. Tensions between the two countries have been escalating, with the US imposing severe sanctions on President Nicolas Maduro due to his marginalization of the opposition.

Nevertheless, this deal, which also involved the release of 10 Americans in exchange for Maduro's ally and financier Alex Saab, offers a glimmer of hope for potential future reconciliation between the two sides.

President Joe Biden stated, "Francis was returned from Venezuela so that he will face justice for crimes he committed against the US government and the American people."

Venezuela has also released around 20 political prisoners. Biden added, "We support democracy in Venezuela and the aspirations of the Venezuelan people."

For the US military, this presents an opportunity to rectify an embarrassing situation that shook the Pentagon in the mid-2000s. Despite guilty pleas from high-ranking Navy officials, prosecutors have made little progress with cases associated with the scandal. According to the Wall Street Journal, four Navy officers' convictions crumbled a year after Francis's escape due to revelations of government errors.

Glenn Defense Marine, Francis's company, worked with the Navy for 25 years, providing goods and services to American ships in multiple Asian countries. Court documents reveal that the company was awarded three regional contracts in 2011, including a five-year agreement worth up to $125 million to supply tugboats, fuel, waste removal, and other services to the Navy in Southeast Asia.

By Nick Wadhams © 2023 Bloomberg L.P.