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Keen On America

Episode 2065: Craig Whitlock explains how an overweight Malaysian contractor known as Fat Leonard bribed, bilked and seduced the U.S. Navy

May 16, 2024
Prize-winning investigative journalist Craig Whitlock reveals the scandal of Fat Leonard, a Malaysian contractor who bribed and seduced US naval officers. The story uncovers corruption, incompetence, and moral lapses within the Navy. Whitlock discusses the erosion of trust in the military due to corrupt actions, shedding light on the betrayal and lack of accountability within the higher ranks.
41:45

Episode guests

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Quick takeaways

  • The Fat Leonard scandal revealed a breach of integrity within the US Navy involving numerous officers and admirals.
  • Leonard's criminal entrepreneurship included strategic manipulation of Navy officers through lavish events and gifts for leverage.

Deep dives

Overview of Fat Leonard

Fat Leonard, whose real name is Leonard Francis, was a Malaysian defense contractor for the US Navy, providing port services across Asia. His expansive business operations included major and minor ports from Singapore to Vladivostok, Russia. His criminal activities involved bribery, manipulation, and collecting blackmail material on numerous US Navy officers, highlighting his sophisticated criminal nature and the underestimation of his intelligence by the Navy.

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