In his plea agreement, Francis identified seven Navy officials who
accepted bribes, including two unnamed individuals - a contract
specialist and lieutenant commander who have not been charged. Francis,
known as "Fat Leonard" in military circles, also acknowledged bribing
officials with more than $500,000 in cash and a staggering amount of
luxury goods worth millions. The goods included spa treatments,
top-shelf alcohol, designer handbags, leather goods, designer furniture,
watches, fountain pens, ornamental swords and handmade ship models,
according to court documents.
The Navy has put more checks in
place and says it is better scrutinizing its contracts. But questions
remain as to how such a large-scale scheme that overbilled the Navy by
as much as $20 million and involved officers who went as far as changing
the routes of major military ships could happen.
"It is
astounding that Leonard Francis was able to purchase the integrity of
Navy officials by offering them meaningless material possessions and the
satisfaction of selfish indulgences," U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy said.