Leonard Glenn Francis, a Malaysian defense contractor, has pleaded guilty to bribing “scores” of Navy officials with cash, prostitutes and other gifts — such as hotel stays, airfare and electronics — so that they would feed him classified or inside information, which he used to defraud the Navy. The slowly unfolding investigation has exposed a staggering degree of corruption within the 7th Fleet.
Related story: The man who seduced the 7th Fleet
Civilian authorities have filed criminal charges against 33 people. According to the Navy, an additional 550 active-duty and retired military personnel – including about 60 admirals – have come under scrutiny for possible violations of military law or ethics rules. The Navy says it has cleared more than half of those personnel, but has substantiated misconduct by about 70 people so far. It is keeping most of their names a secret.
What is known
people have pleaded guilty in
U.S. federal court and
20
1
in Singapore,
12
others have criminal cases pending in
federal court in San Diego
5
sailors have been charged
under military law,
7
admirals and 2 captains have been
disciplined or admonished by the Navy
... and
more than 400
others
What is known
people have pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court and
1
in Singapore,
20
others have criminal cases pending in federal court in San Diego
12
5
sailors have been charged under military law,
7
admirals and 2 captains have been disciplined or admonished by the Navy
... and
more than 400
others not yet identified.
Guilty pleas: Francis and four of his senior executives.
Leonard Francis
President and chief executive officer, Glenn Defense Marine Asia
– Has admitted to bribing ‘scores’ of Navy officials with millions of dollars so they would leak him classified and confidential information about Navy operations, which he used in turn to gouge the Navy for port services.
Status Pleaded guilty in January 2015 to bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery, and conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Punishment Sentence pending.
Edmond Aruffo
Japan country manager for Glenn Defense; former Navy officer, 7th Fleet
– Recruited active-duty Navy officers to work as moles for Glenn Defense. Devised kickback scheme with Japanese contractors to defraud the Navy of more than $1 million. Used the kickback proceeds to pay for items that Glenn Defense did not want to record on its books, such as meals, drinks and gifts it gave to Navy officers.
Status Pleaded guilty in July 2014 to conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Punishment Sentence pending.
Alex Wisidagama
Global manager for government contracts, Glenn Defense
– A Singapore citizen and a cousin of Francis, Wisidagama prepared and submitted fraudulent invoices to the Navy for fuel, port tariffs and other services in a $34 million overbilling scheme. His attorney did not respond to a request for comment.
Status Pleaded guilty in March 2014 to conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Punishment Sentenced in March 2016 to 63 months in federal prison.
Linda Raja, aka Raja Shamsa
General manager for Singapore, Australia and Pacific Isles for Glenn Defense
Status Pleaded guilty in May 2017 to fraud.
Punishment Sentenced in August 2017 to 46 months in federal prison.
Neil Peterson
Vice president of global operations, Glenn Defense
Status Pleaded guilty in May 2017 to fraud.
Punishment Sentenced in August 2017 to 70 months in federal prison.
Guilty pleas: 16 Navy officials.
Rear Adm. Robert Gilbeau (retired)
Former special assistant to the chief of the Navy Supply Corps
– Lied to investigators about his relationship with Francis and allegedly accepted kickbacks.
Status Pleased guilty in June 2016 to making a false official statement. Reduced in rank to captain.
Punishment Sentenced in May 2017 to 18 months in prison, plus $150,000 in fines and restitution.
Capt. Michael George Brooks (retired)
Former U.S. naval attache in the Philippines
Status Pleaded guilty in November 2016 to conspiracy to commit bribery.
Punishment Sentenced in June 2017 to 41 months in prison, plus $72,000 in fines and restitution.
Capt. Jesus V. Cantu (retired)
Former assistant chief of staff for logistics, 7th Fleet
Status Pleaded guilty in August 2017 to conspiracy to commit bribery.
Punishment Sentence pending.
Capt. Daniel Dusek
Former deputy director of operations for the 7th Fleet; former commander of USS Bonhomme Richard
Status Pleaded guilty in January 2015 to conspiracy to commit bribery.
Punishment Sentenced in March 2016 to 46 months in federal prison, plus $100,000 in fines and restitution.
Cmdr. Troy Amundson (retired)
Former logistics officer responsible for joint military exercises in Southeast Asia
Status Pleaded guilty in January 2018 to conspiracy to commit bribery.
Punishment Sentence pending.
Cmdr. David Kapaun (retired)
Former deputy chief of staff, Special Operations Command, Pacific
Status Pleaded guilty in June 2017 to making false statements.
Punishment Sentenced in September 2017 to 18 months in federal prison and $75,000 in fines and restitution.
Cmdr. Michael Misiewicz
Former deputy director of operations, 7th Fleet; commander of USS Mustin
Status Pleaded guilty in January 2016 to conspiracy and bribery.
Punishment Sentenced in April 2016 to 78 months in prison, plus $195,000 in fines and restitution.
Cmdr. Bobby R. Pitts
Former contracting officer based in Singapore
Status Pleaded guilty in August 2017 to conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Punishment Sentenced in December 2017 to 18 months in prison, plus $27,500 in fines and restitution.
Cmdr. Jose Luis Sanchez
Former logistics officer, 7th Fleet
Status Pleaded guilty in January 2015 to bribery, and conspiracy to commit bribery.
Punishment Sentence pending.
Lt. Cmdr. Gentry Debord
Former logistics and supply officer
Status Pleaded guilty in October 2016 to conspiracy to commit bribery.
Punishment Sentenced in January 2017 to 30 months in prison, plus $52,000 in fines and restitution.
Lt. Cmdr. Todd Malaki
Former logistics and supply officer, 7th Fleet
Status Pleaded guilty in April 2015 to conspiracy to commit bribery.
Punishment Sentenced in January 2016 to 40 months in federal prison, plus $30,000 in fines and restitution.
Master Chief Petty Officer Ricarte I. David (retired)
Former logistics official with the USS Essex, USS Kitty Hawk and USS George Washington
Status Pleaded guilty in September 2018 to conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Punishment Sentence pending.
Petty Officer 1st Class Dan Layug
Former logistics specialist, USS Blue Ridge and 7th Fleet
Status Pleaded guilty in May 2014 to conspiracy to commit bribery.
Punishment Sentenced in January 2016 to 27 months in prison, plus a $15,000 fine.
John Beliveau II
Former special agent, Naval Criminal Investigative Service
Status Pleaded guilty in December 2013 to bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery.
Punishment Sentenced in October 2016 to 12 years in prison.
Sharon Kaur
Former Navy contracting official based in Singapore
Status Pleaded guilty in June 2017 in Singapore state court to corruption.
Punishment Sentenced in July 2018 to 33 months in prison.
Paul Simpkins
Former Navy contracting supervisor based in Singapore
Status Pleaded guilty in June 2016 to bribery, and conspiracy to commit bribery.
Punishment Sentenced in December 2016 to six years in prison, plus $450,000 in fines and restitution.
Awaiting trial
Rear Adm. Bruce Loveless (retired)
Former director of intelligence operations for U.S. Navy and intelligence chief for 7th Fleet
– Arrested in California in March 2017 and charged with conspiracy, bribery and making false statements.
Status Case pending. Has pleaded not guilty.
Capt. James Dolan (retired)
Former assistant chief of staff for logistics, 7th Fleet
– Arrested in Pennsylvania in March 2017 and charged with conspiracy and bribery.
Status Case pending. Has pleaded not guilty.
Capt. David W. Haas (retired)
Former assistant chief of staff for operations, 7th Fleet
– Indicted in August 2018 and charged with conspiracy and bribery
Status Case pending. Has pleaded not guilty.
Capt. David A. Lausman (retired)
Former commanding officer of the USS George Washington and the USS Blue Ridge
– Arrested in Florida in March 2017 and charged with conspiracy, bribery, obstruction of justice, and making false statements.
Status Case pending. Has pleaded not guilty.
Capt. David Newland (retired)
Former chief of staff to the commander, 7th Fleet
– Arrested in Texas in March 2017 and charged with conspiracy and bribery.
Status Case pending. Has pleaded not guilty.
Col. Enrico "Rick" de Guzman (retired)
Former assistant chief of staff of operations, Marine Corps Forces, Pacific; liaison to 7th Fleet
– Arrested in California in March 2017 and charged with conspiracy and bribery.
Status Case pending. Has pleaded not guilty.
Cmdr. Mario Herrera
Former fleet operations/schedules officer for 7th Fleet
Status Case pending. Has pleaded not guilty.
Cmdr. Donald Hornbeck (retired)
Former deputy chief of staff for operations, 7th Fleet
– Indicted in March 2017 and charged with conspiracy and bribery.
Status Case pending. Has pleaded not guilty.
Cmdr. Stephen F. Shedd
Former commanding officer of the USS Milius and planning officer for 7th Fleet
– Arrested in Colorado in March 2017 and charged with conspiracy and bribery.
Status Case pending. Has pleaded not guilty.
Chief Warrant Officer Robert Gorsuch (retired)
Former flag administration officer, 7th Fleet
– Arrested in Virginia in March 2017 and charged with conspiracy and bribery.
Status Case pending. Has pleaded not guilty.
Chief Petty Officer Brooks A. Parks
– Indicted in August 2018 and charged with conspiracy to commit honest services fraud
Status Case pending. Has pleaded not guilty.
Unknown Glenn Defense employee
Status Believed to be in Asia. Arrest warrant pending.
Seven admirals and two captains have been disciplined or admonished by the Navy.
Vice Adm. Ted "Twig" Branch (retired)
Former deputy chief of naval operations and director of naval intelligence
– Navy suspended his access to classified material in November 2013 and announced he was under criminal investigation for “inappropriate conduct.” Justice Department decided in 2017 not to press criminal charges and referred his case to the Navy for review.
Status Navy announced in September 2017 that it had taken “administrative action” against Branch. Documents show he accepted meals and gifts, but Navy was unable to verify allegations Francis provided him with prostitutes.
Vice Adm. Michael H. Miller (retired)
Former superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy
– Censured in February 2015 for accepting gifts and “extravagant” meals from Francis in 2006 while serving as commanding officer of the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier strike group.
Status Retired in August 2015.
Rear Adm. Adrian Jansen
Former naval attache to Indonesia and defense attache to China
– Found guilty in February 2017 of violating military law for accepting wine and dinners worth more than $5,000 from Glenn Defense. Reprimanded and fined $7,500.
Status Retirement pending.
Rear Adm. Terry B. Kraft (retired)
Former commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Japan
– Censured in February 2015 for accepting “extravagant” meals from Francis in 2006 and 2007 while serving as the commanding officer of the USS Ronald Reagan.
Status Forced to retire in July 2015.
Rear Adm. Kenneth J. Norton (retired)
Former commander, USS Ronald Reagan
– Censured in November 2017 for accepting gifts from Francis in 2008 and 2009, including a $700-person dinner, cigars, alcohol, three parties with prostitutes and a stay at a $1,500-per-night beach villa.
Status Retired in November 2014.
Rear Adm. David R. Pimpo (retired)
Former commander with the Naval Supply Systems Command
– Censured in February 2015 for accepting gifts and “extravagant” meals from Francis in 2006 and 2007 while serving as the supply officer for the USS Ronald Reagan.
Status Reduced in rank and forced to retire as a captain in July 2015.
Rear Adm. Richard Wren (retired)
Former commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Japan
– Censured in June 2018 for accepting thousands of dollars worth of dinners, Cuban cigars, champagne and boxes of steaks from Francis between 2008 and 2010.
Status Retired in 2011.
Capt. Timothy Conroy (retired)
Former chief of staff, USS Ronald Reagan carrier strike group
– Censured in June 2018 for accepting a $1,000 dinner and other favors from Francis, including prostitutes, during port visits to Singapore and Malaysia in 2008.
Status Retired in 2010
Capt. Charles A. Johnson
Former commander, Destroyer Squadron 31 and USS McCampbell
– Censured in June 2018 for committing graft, lying to investigators and accepting gifts from Francis between 2004 and 2010, including several dinners and two elephant vases worth $900.
Status Still active duty
Court-martial proceedings: Five sailors have been charged with crimes under military law.
Capt. John F. Steinberger
Former commander, Destroyer Squadron 1 and USS Decatur
– Accepted thousands of dollars worth of gifts from Francis in the form of hotel rooms, meals and prostitutes during 2011 port visits to Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia and Hong Kong.
Status Pleaded guilty in March 2018 to willful dereliction of duty and conduct unbecoming an officer.
Punishment Reprimanded and fined $10,000.
Cmdr. David A. Morales
Former deputy director for Navy contracting operations in Singapore
– Accepted lavish meals and gifts from Francis, including suckling pigs and tickets to a Julio Iglesias concert.
Status Found guilty in September 2018 of conduct unbecoming an officer and failure to report foreign contacts.
Punishment Sentenced to 165 days confinement and penalized $35,000 in fines and lost pay.
Cmdr. Jason W. Starmer
Former operations director for U.S. military advisory group to Thailand
– Accepted thousands of dollars worth of gifts from Leonard Francis in the form of meals, prostitutes and alcohol during visits to Singapore in 2012 and 2013.
Status Pleaded guilty in March 2018 to adultery, patronizing a prostitute and willful dereliction of duty.
Punishment Reprimanded and penalized $6,000 in fines and lost pay.
Lt. Peter L. Vapor
Supply Corps officer, formerly based in Singapore
– Accepted gifts from Leonard Francis while based in Singapore in 2012 and made false statements to NCIS agents.
Status In plea deal, disciplined in February 2018 for accepting improper gifts, false official statements and conduct unbecoming an officer.
Punishment Reprimanded and fined $2,000.
Chief Warrant Officer Brian T. Ware
Former food service officer for the USS Blue Ridge and USS George Washington
– Illicitly accepted free hotel rooms, cell phones and chauffered transportation from Glenn Defense during 10 different port visits in Asia from 2010 to 2013.
Status Pleaded guilty to graft and ethics violations in January 2018.
Punishment Sentenced to six months confinement and $10,000 fine
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