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Fresh Air

The Corruption Scandal That Rocked The Navy

May 23, 2024
Craig Whitlock, an investigative reporter for The Washington Post and author of "Fat Leonard," dives into the shocking Navy corruption scandal ignited by Leonard Glenn Francis. He reveals how lavish bribes, including parties and cash, compromised Navy officials. Whitlock discusses the deep-rooted culture of complicity among the personnel, the challenges faced by investigators, and the alarming implications for national security. With nearly 1,000 individuals implicated, the episode uncovers a troubling lack of accountability within military ranks.
43:49

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Quick takeaways

  • Senior Navy officers were bribed with perks and sex workers in exchange for overcharged service contracts.
  • Leonard Glenn Francis obtained classified ship schedules from Navy officers, posing a significant national security threat.

Deep dives

Navy Scandal Involving Leonard Glenn Francis

Senior U.S. Navy officers were embroiled in a scandal where they accepted perks and bribes from defense contractor Leonard Glenn Francis. Operating in the Gulf of Mexico, Francis exploited close ties with officers to secure overcharged service contracts, including tugboats, security, food, water, and bilge pumping. The scandal involved a lavish lifestyle of parties, gifts, and even sex workers to seduce Navy personnel into aiding his fraudulent schemes.

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