Military Scandal

Southern Command Head Steps Down Amid Concerns, Officials Say

Head of the U.S. Military’s Southern Command Is Stepping Down, Officials Say. Well, this is certainly a headline that grabs your attention. It’s not every day you hear about a high-ranking military official, especially one in charge of such a crucial command, deciding to step down so abruptly, and less than a year into their tenure. The Southern Command, or SOUTHCOM, as it’s known, has a huge area of responsibility, encompassing Latin America and the Caribbean, so this is definitely a significant change.

Admiral Holsey’s departure is happening in the middle of a major operation, which, as you can imagine, raises a lot of questions.… Continue reading

## Navy Contractor “Fat Leonard” Sentenced to 15 Years for Bribery Scandal

Leonard “Fat Leonard” Francis, a former military defense contractor, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for orchestrating a decade-long bribery scheme that ensnared numerous U.S. Navy officers. Francis, who pleaded guilty in 2015, admitted to bribing officials with lavish gifts in exchange for classified information and favorable treatment for his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia Ltd. (GDMA). The scheme, which defrauded the Navy out of at least $35 million, resulted in the conviction of nearly two dozen individuals, including a high-ranking admiral. Francis, who escaped house arrest in 2022, was later apprehended in Venezuela and extradited to the United States. His sentence includes restitution payments to the Navy and a hefty fine.

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