Admiral gets 18 months in ‘Fat Leonard’ case

WASHINGTON: A former admiral was sentenced on Wednesday to 18 months in prison for his role in a sprawling bribery scandal dubbed the “Fat Leonard” case, becoming the highest-ranking US Navy officer to be convicted in the probe.

Prosecutors said retired rear admiral Robert Gilbeau ( pix), 56, had lied to investigators to conceal his “illicit” 20-year relationship with Malaysian businessman Leonard Francis, who ran a port services firm called Glenn Defense Marine Asia.

The heavy-set, Singapore-based Francis has admitted to plying officers with cash, booze, prostitutes and other perks to ensure US Navy ships stopped at ports where his firm operated.

“You violated the law and dishonoured your shipmates, the Navy and the United States of America,” judge Janis Sammartino said at Gilbeau’s hearing in San Diego, according to the San Diego UnionTribune.

Prosecutors said Francis had supplied Gilbeau with prostitutes and paid for his stay in a fancy hotel.

Gilbeau has admitted that he lied when he told investigators that he had never received any gifts from Francis.

Gilbeau offered an apology for his conduct, and in a letter to the court he reportedly said his issues resulted from post-traumatic stress and other problems stemming from a 2007 mortar attack in Iraq.

“I am proud of my Navy career and proud to be an American,” said Gilbeau, according to the Washington Post.

“To the Navy, I want to say I am sorry.”

The Post said Admiral William Moran, the vice-chief of naval operations, had written a letter to the court saying Gilbeau had inflicted “immeasurable damage” on the Navy and “grossly dishonoured his uniform and betrayed his fellow shipmates”.

The fraud and bribery investigation has so far seen 20 current and former Navy officials charged.

Of them, 10 have pleaded guilty and 10 cases are pending, prosecutors said. – AFP