KUALA LUMPUR – The United States Marshal Service (USMS) is offering a US$40,000 (RM179,840) reward for information leading to the arrest of wanted Malaysian contractor Leonard Glenn Francis who swindled the US Navy out of US$35 million.
USMS said in a statement that Francis, also known as “Fat Leonard”, is wanted for violating the conditions of his pretrial release, following his escape from house arrest in San Diego recently.
USMS is a federal enforcement agency under the US Department of Justice.
“The United States Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to US$40,000 for information leading up to the arrest of Leonard Francis.
“Also known as ‘Fat Leonard’, Francis is wanted for violating the conditions of his pretrial release. He was convicted of bribing naval officials,” the agency said in a statement.
The United States Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $40,000 for information leading up to the arrest of Leonard Francis. Also known as "Fat Leonard" Francis is wanted for violating the conditions of his pretrial release. He was convicted of bribing naval officials. pic.twitter.com/gVmFrBYkb6
— USMS San Diego (@USMSSanDiego) September 10, 2022
The Penang-born defence contractor pleaded guilty to bribing Navy officials in 2015 and was scheduled to be sentenced.
He is believed to have cut off his ankle bracelet sometime last Sunday and was not home when the San Diego Police Department checked on his residence that afternoon.
USMS also said that the San Diego Fugitive Task Force which also went to Francis’ home found the GPS ankle bracelet abandoned at the house.
“Anyone with information on Francis’ whereabouts should contact the US Marshals at 877-926-8332. Anonymous tips may also be submitted via the USMS Tips App,” the agency said.
Francis was to be sentenced three weeks before he fled and would reportedly face 25 years’ imprisonment.
He pleaded guilty in 2015 to orchestrating an elaborate scam to swindle the US Navy by overcharging when he supplied various items to the fleet’s battleships from frigates to carriers which had docked at Singapore for resupplies.
He had been under house arrest after his lawyers were able to secure him a medical furlough, citing other health issues even though Francis had a clean bill of health, according to publicly released court transcripts.
A US district court judge had expressed concerns about the lenient house arrest arrangements, as Francis had paid the private security firm in charge of watching him. There was one instance when the premises was left unguarded while a guard went for lunch.
Leonard apparently began his career of corrupting the US military when he was invited to a July 4 celebration held by the US embassy in Malaysia where he met with naval officers and attaches. – The Vibes, September 10,2022
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