SAN DIEGO (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed the felony convictions of five retired military officers who had admitted to accepting bribes from a Malaysian contractor nicknamed “Fat Leonard” in one of the Navy’s biggest corruption cases.
The dismissals came at the request of the government — not the defense — citing prosecutorial errors.
Retired U.S. Navy officers Donald Hornbeck, Robert Gorsuch and Jose Luis Sanchez, and U.S. Marine Corps Col. Enrico DeGuzman pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disclosing information on Tuesday, while U.S. Navy officer Stephen Shedd’s entire case was thrown out. Their defense lawyers could not be immediately reached for comment.
It marked the latest setback to the government’s yearslong efforts in going after dozens of military officials tied to defense contractor Leonard Francis, nicknamed “ Fat Leonard.” The enigmatic figure — who was 6-foot-3 and weighed 350 pounds at one time — owned and operated Singapore-based Glenn Defense Marine Asia Ltd., which supplied food, water and fuel to U.S. Navy vessels.
Andrew Abbott handcuffs Padres as Reds rebound from disastrous road trip to win 2
Scenes from Israel and Gaza reflect dashed hopes as imminent cease
Chinese economy to provide more opportunities for cooperation
Thousands of fans come to see Nadal practice ahead of the French Open
Demi Moore stuns at 61! Charlie's Angels star flutters down red carpet in butterfly
Beauty guru, 24, stuns the internet after making a cup of TEA using a set of $3,000 acrylic nails
'IF' movie review: John Krasinski’s film hits a box office nerve with $35 million debut
Biden revives effort to lower costs of caregiving for families