**Fat Leonard Sentenced: Final Chapter in US Navy’s Bribery Scandal**

Summary of the sentencing reveals the extensive consequences of the "Fat Leonard" scandal and its implications for military integrity.

A US court has sentenced Malaysian businessman Leonard Glenn Francis, colloquially known as "Fat Leonard," to 15 years in prison for his involvement in the largest bribery scandal in the US Navy's history. The court also imposed a fine of $150,000 and mandated that Francis pay $20 million in restitution to the US Navy. In his plea deal from 2015, Francis admitted to bribing senior naval officials with millions in cash, luxury items, and extravagant experiences in exchange for classified information, allowing him to overcharge the Navy by $35 million for his company’s services to the 7th Fleet in the Indo-Pacific region.

Francis attempted to evade justice by cutting off his ankle monitor in 2022 and fleeing but was recaptured shortly after in Venezuela while trying to reach Russia. His latest sentence not only culminates years of legal proceedings but also includes a five-year probation for his company, Singapore’s Glenn Defense Marine Asia, which was fined an additional $36 million. Authorities have stated that Francis’ corrupt practices significantly undermined public trust in naval leadership, with repercussions that will linger for years to come.

US Attorney Tara McGrath highlighted the extensive damage caused by Francis' actions and stated that the case underscores a critical need for accountability. The scandal, named after Francis' notable appearance, has drawn attention to systemic issues within the Navy, exacerbated by Francis’ cooperation with federal investigations that unveiled pervasive corruption within the Navy ranks. Kelly Mayo from the Department of Defense's Office of the Inspector General described the sentencing as a closure to a far-reaching fraud scheme that ultimately compromised the operational integrity of the Navy.