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Leonard Glenn Francis, 51, former CEO of Glenn Defense Marine Asia in Singapore, has admitted to bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery and defrauding the US government. At his April 3 sentencing, he faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.
Original Report
PHUKET: The central character in a US Navy scandal involving $20 million in overbilling in Phuket and other Asian ports is expected to change his plea to guilty in a fresh court appearance.
Glenn Defense Marine Asia former CEO Leonard Glenn Francis, known as ''Fat Leonard,'' allegedly bribed US Navy personnel with trips, prostitutes and show tickets to provide information and help steer warships to preferred ports including Phuket where excessive charges for reprovisioning could be made.
The Glenn brand was familiar to many on Phuket whenever US vessels, especially aircraft carriers, anchored off Thailand's top holiday island so crews could take liberty leave.
Glenn organised what's known as ''husbandry'' for the vessels, restocking supplies and providing shuttle transport between Phuket's deep sea port and Patong, on the west coast.
The scandal is considered one of the worst corruption cases to rock the Navy in years. Leonard was arrested in 2013 on a visit to the US and has been held in custody.
The specifics of what took place on Phuket are more likely to be quickly revealed if he changes his plea, as anticipated.
Associated Press reports that a second Navy captain pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery on Thursday in the massive scheme involving the Malaysian defense contractor accused of scamming the US military out of at least $20 million.
Capt. Daniel Dusek entered his guilty plea in his first appearance in federal court in San Diego and waived his right to present his case before a federal grand jury.
Dusek is the fourth Navy officer charged in the case. Last week, Capt. Jose Luis Sanchez entered a guilty plea. Sanchez admitted to providing shipping route information to Francis's company in exchange for plane tickets, hotels and prostitutes.
The company has provided food, fuel and supplies to US Navy ships in Asia for 25 years.
Dusek is accused of accepting the bribes between January 2009 and February 2011. He faces up to five years in prison.
U.S jails are no joke. It's a pity Thailand doesn't put a few officials in jail. Then again, the system is so bent where would you start??
Posted by Arun Muruga on January 16, 2015 08:48