The fugitive behind the US Navy corruption scandal – nicknamed “Fat Leonard” – has sought asylum in Venezuela after his arrest, a law enforcement official revealed.
Leonard Glenn Francis, he had gone on the run after escaped house arrest in San Diego on September 4th.
He was allowed to remain under house arrest while cooperating with authorities, leading prosecutors to convictions of 33 out of 34 defendants and over two dozen Navy officials.
The Malaysian defense contractor was facing 25 years in prison in a sentence set for September 22, but he cut off his GPS anklet and left his home in California.
He was captured in the South American country a week ago.
Venezuelan authorities arrested Francis at Caracas airport before he could board his flight to Russia amid a global manhunt with a $ 40,000 reward for his arrest, officials said.
Now “Fat Leonard” is seeking asylum in the Spanish-speaking country, a request that the Venezuelan government must consider by law.
Venezuela, Malaysia and Singapore all have extradition agreements with America, although the Biden administration does not have an embassy in Venezuela and has imposed sanctions on them.
“Fat Leonard” was first arrested in 2013 when he was accused of bribing US Navy officers to help his Singapore-based naval services company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia Ltd or GDMA.
Wild sex parties
He had used cash, cigars, expensive food, and wild sex parties in luxury hotels in exchange for contracts.
He pleaded guilty to fraud over the next two years with his shipping company at the center of the plan.
In redirecting naval vessels to profitable ports for his company, Francis had overloaded the US military with more than $ 35 million for services, prosecutors said.
The US authorities now have 30 days to formally request his extradition.
