Navy Contractor ‘Fat Leonard,’ Key Figure in Major U.S. Military Scandal, Sentenced to 15 Years

Leonard “Fat Leonard” Francis, a former military defense contractor, received a 15-year prison sentence on Tuesday for orchestrating a massive bribery scheme involving dozens of U.S. Navy officers, federal prosecutors announced. U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino also ordered Francis to pay $20 million in restitution to the Navy, a $150,000 fine, and to forfeit $35 million in illicit gains.

The sentence followed Francis’ initial guilty plea in 2015 on bribery and fraud charges, extensive cooperation with federal authorities, and a new guilty plea for evading his 2022 sentencing by fleeing the country. Just before his September 2022 sentencing, Francis cut off his GPS monitor, escaping house arrest. He was eventually arrested in Venezuela and returned to the U.S. in December 2023.

Judge Sammartino sentenced Francis to over 13 years for bribery and fraud, with an additional 16 months for fleeing, to be served consecutively. U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath stated that Francis “lined his pockets with taxpayer dollars while undermining the integrity of U.S. Naval forces,” emphasizing that “justice has been served today.”

Francis’ attorney, William Douglas Sprague, sought a sentence of under nine years, citing Francis’ cooperation, and argued that his client’s company had previously provided exemplary service to the Navy. In response, Sprague stated that Francis’ “greed drove him to commit bribery and fraud.”

Francis, who once weighed over 350 pounds and stood 6-foot-3, owned Glenn Defense Marine Asia Ltd., a ship servicing business based in Singapore that supplied food, water, and fuel to Navy vessels across Asia. For over 20 years, he maintained extensive ties with Navy personnel, luring officers with luxury gifts, expensive meals, and lavish parties, while overcharging the Navy or billing for services never rendered. Officers provided him with classified information and steered Navy ships to ports under his control, allowing him to profit.

In a sting operation, Francis was arrested in San Diego in 2013 and later pleaded guilty, admitting to offering over $500,000 in cash bribes. Prosecutors claim he defrauded the Navy of at least $35 million.

While awaiting sentencing, Francis was placed under house arrest due to medical issues. However, three weeks before his sentencing in 2022, he cut off his GPS monitor and fled, triggering an international manhunt. He was captured in Venezuela before boarding a flight to Russia. His case has drawn scrutiny, as felony convictions against four Navy officers were vacated following allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, leading to reduced misdemeanor charges.

Judge Sammartino previously ruled that misconduct had occurred but did not dismiss the case.