U.S. Navy Commander Charged as Part of Expanding Navy Bribery Scandal
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/us-navy-commander-charged-part-expanding-navy-bribery-scandal
Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 16, 2017
U.S. Navy Commander Charged as Part of Expanding Navy Bribery Scandal
A current U.S. Navy Commander was charged in a complaint unsealed today with accepting luxury travel, elaborate dinners and services of prostitutes from foreign defense contractor Leonard Francis in exchange for classified and internal U.S. Navy information.
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Mario Herrera, 48, of Helotes, Texas, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with interactions with Leonard Francis, the former CEO of Glenn Defense Marine Asia (GDMA), a defense contracting firm based in Singapore. Herrera was arrested in San Antonio, Texas, this morning and is scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court in the Western District of Texas. The United States will seek removal of Herrera to San Diego to face charges.
According to the complaint, Herrera participated in a bribery scheme with Francis in which he accepted luxury travel and entertainment expenses and the services of prostitutes in exchange for helping to steer lucrative U.S. Navy contracts to Francis and GDMA. Herrera provided Francis with internal, proprietary U.S. Navy information and intervened on GDMAs behalf in contract disputes. According the complaint, Herrera directed ships to take alternative routes that benefitted GDMA on two separate occasions, costing the U.S. Navy $3.6 million.
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