fat leonard

The U.S. freed a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in exchange for the release of 10 Americans imprisoned in the South American country and the return of fugitive defense contractor Leonard Francis known as "Fat Leonard." Francis is at the center of a massive Pentagon bribery scandal, the Biden administration announced Wednesday.

Who is 'Fat Leonard' and how did he end up as part of the Venezuelan prisoner swap?

9:45pm December 20, 2023

by Vanessa Romo

The infamous Malaysian businessman Leonard Glenn Francis is being extradited to the U.S. Here's everything you need to know about the bribery scandal that brought down dozens of Navy officials.

Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro speaks in Caracas, Venezuela, on Dec. 4, 2023.

U.S. strikes prisoner swap deal with Venezuela, plus extradition of 'Fat Leonard'

7:06pm December 20, 2023

by Deepa Shivaram

Venezuela released 10 Americans, 21 Venezuelans — and extradited the man behind a brazen bribery scheme. In exchange, President Biden granted clemency to an an ally of leader Nicolas Maduro.

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Leonard Francis, a Malaysian defense contractor nicknamed "Fat Leonard," who orchestrated one of the largest bribery scandals in U.S. military history, has been arrested in Venezuela after fleeing before his sentencing, authorities said.

'Fat Leonard,' a fugitive in a massive Navy bribery case, has been caught in Venezuela

2:36pm September 22, 2022

by The Associated Press

Leonard Francis, a Malaysian defense contractor nicknamed "Fat Leonard" who orchestrated one of the largest bribery scandals in U.S. military history, had fled house arrest prior to his sentencing.

U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Robert Gilbeau has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for lying to federal officials investigating a massive corruption scandal.

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U.S. Navy Admiral Sentenced To Prison In Bribery Scandal

7:13pm May 17, 2017

by Richard Gonzales

Prosecutors say this is the first time a Navy admiral has been imprisoned for a federal crime committed in the course of his official duty. He lied to investigators about fraud by a Navy contractor.