PHUKET: Three US Navy admirals have been punished for their part in the ''Fat Leonard'' Scandal that involved millions of dollars in scams and bribery stretching all the way to Phuket.
Although a criminal investigation did not result in charges for the officers, Rear admirals Mike Miller, Terry Kraft and David Pimpohad failed to uphold standards of conduct and would receive letters of censure from the navy's secretary, Ray Mabus.
The officers ''demonstrated poor judgment and a failure of leadership in prior tours,'' Mabus said.
The admirals improperly accepted gifts, two ''improperly endorsed a commercial business,'' and one solicited gifts and services while stationed in the Pacific region in 2006-07, the navy said.
Censure letters in effect derail an officer's career and, in this case, the three admirals will be allowed to retire, officials said.
All three were punished for their conduct while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, which has visited Phuket with other warships over a number of years so crew can take liberty leave and stores can be replenished.
It is overbilling associated with replenishing by Glenn Defense Marine Asia and its arrested CEO Leonard Francis, 50, that continues to embroil the US Navy and leaves other officers facing serious charges.
Phuket and Port Klang in Malaysia were said to be the two destinations favored by Francis because it was easier to overcharge the US Navy there. Francis presided over a decade-long scheme involving tens of millions of dollars in bribes, prosecutors said.
Although a criminal investigation did not result in charges for the officers, Rear admirals Mike Miller, Terry Kraft and David Pimpohad failed to uphold standards of conduct and would receive letters of censure from the navy's secretary, Ray Mabus.
The officers ''demonstrated poor judgment and a failure of leadership in prior tours,'' Mabus said.
The admirals improperly accepted gifts, two ''improperly endorsed a commercial business,'' and one solicited gifts and services while stationed in the Pacific region in 2006-07, the navy said.
Censure letters in effect derail an officer's career and, in this case, the three admirals will be allowed to retire, officials said.
All three were punished for their conduct while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, which has visited Phuket with other warships over a number of years so crew can take liberty leave and stores can be replenished.
It is overbilling associated with replenishing by Glenn Defense Marine Asia and its arrested CEO Leonard Francis, 50, that continues to embroil the US Navy and leaves other officers facing serious charges.
Phuket and Port Klang in Malaysia were said to be the two destinations favored by Francis because it was easier to overcharge the US Navy there. Francis presided over a decade-long scheme involving tens of millions of dollars in bribes, prosecutors said.
