Three new current and former U.S. Navy officers have been charged in a widespread bribery scheme involving a Singapore business that overbilled the U.S. government by more than $20 million, according to court documents unsealed Friday.
In January 2015, "Fat Leonard" Glenn Francis pleaded guilty to bribing senior naval officials in exchange for specific U.S. Navy warship movements so his company could overbill the Pentagon.
Francis and his company Glenn Defense Marine Asia (GDMA) provided husbanding services, like fuel, tugboats and trash removal, for Navy ships and submarines in various Pacific ports.
Thirteen people have been charged for accepting gifts ranging from cash, luxury travel, high-tech gadgets, dinners and prostitutes from Francis and GDMA. Nine have pleaded guilty.
On Friday, federal prosecutors announced the investigation has expanded and three new defendants have been charged.
U.S. Navy Captain Michael Brooks, retired, 57, of Fairfax Station, Virginia and Lieutenant Commander Gentry Debord, 47, of Singapore each face one charge of conspiracy to commit bribery.
Commander Bobby Pitts, 47, of Chesapeake, Virginia faces one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and two counts of obstruction of official proceedings, federal officials said Friday.
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Brooks served as the U.S. Naval Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines from June 2006 to July 2008. He retired from the Navy in 2011.
In a complaint filed Friday, Brooks is accused of giving Francis and others inside GDMA access to write U.S. Navy documents and correspondence. Brooks then submitted that as his own work, prosecutors alleged.
In exchange, Brooks asked for and received the services of prostitutes he referred to by code names “shakes” “mocha shakes” and “high tea”, court documents allege.
Pitts was in charge of handling logistical needs for the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet from August 2009 to May 2011. He's accused of giving Francis an internal NCIS report detailing the government’s probe into GDMA for contract fraud.
Debord worked in the Western Pacific in different logistical and supply positions. He’s accused of giving Francis internal documents about the government’s investigation.
Each defendant faces five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
U.S. Navy Capt. Daniel Dusek, U.S. Navy Captain (Select) Michael Misiewicz, Lieutenant Commander Todd Malaki, NCIS Special Agent John Beliveau, Commander Jose Luis Sanchez and U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Dan Layug have pleaded guilty in the case.
Former Department of Defense civilian employee Paul Simpkins awaits trial.
