First military case in Navy bribery scandal begins
Source: Associated Press
Ben Finley, Associated Press
Updated 5:24 pm, Monday, June 26, 20172017
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — While he was stationed in Singapore, a U.S. Navycommander ate suckling pigs worth $400 apiece, attended a Gucci fashion show with his wife and enjoyed the services of prostitutes — all courtesy of a Malaysian defense contractor, Navy prosecutors alleged Monday.
Cmdr. David Alexander Morales is the latest Navy official to be charged in a wide-ranging bribery scandal in which officers allegedly provided ship schedules and important access to Singapore-based businessman Leonard Francis
Nicknamed "Fat Leonard" for his large size, Francis was determined to maintain his firm's market share in servicing American warships in Asian ports, a lucrative operation that spanned 25 years and allowed him to overbill the Navy by nearly $35 million.
The Department of Justice has already filed charges against 25 people, including Francis as well as 20 former and current officers in the Navy. Several, including a retired admiral, have pleaded guilty.
Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/First-military-case-in-Navy-bribery-scandal-begins-11247527.php