“Fat Leonard” sentenced to 15 years for massive Navy bribery, fraud scheme

Leonard Glenn Francis, also known as “Fat Leonard,” has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for masterminding a massive bribery and fraud scheme targeting the U.S. Navy. He was ordered to pay $20 million in restitution and a $150,000 fine. Francis fled house arrest in 2022, but was detained in Venezuela while trying to board a flight to Cuba. He was returned to the U.S. as part of a prisoner swap deal with Venezuela. In a 2015 plea agreement, Francis admitted to bribing Navy officials with cash, luxury goods, and services in exchange for classified information and favors. Over 30 Navy officers and contractors have been convicted or pleaded guilty in connection to Francis’ scheme. The sentencing brings closure to a fraud conspiracy that cost taxpayers millions of dollars and undermined trust in Navy leadership.