San Diego AP —Former military defense contractor Leonard “Fat Leonard” Francis was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in prison for masterminding a decade-long bribery scheme that swept up dozens of U.S. Navy officers, federal prosecutors said. The Malaysian defense contractor was a key contact for U.S. Navy ships at ports across Asia for more than two decades. He pleaded guilty in 2015, admitting that he had offered more than $500,000 in cash bribes to Navy officials, defense contractors and others. While awaiting sentencing, Francis was hospitalized and treated for renal cancer and other medical issues. The felony convictions of four former Navy officers were vacated following allegations of prosecutorial misconduct.

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Persons: Leonard “, Leonard ” Francis, Janis L, Sammartino, Francis, Prosecutors, Leonard’s, Leonard, “ Leonard Francis, Tara McGrath, ” Prosecutors, Francis ’, overcharge, snipped, — Organizations: Diego AP, Former, U.S . Navy, U.S, Navy, Attorney’s, . Naval, ”, Glenn Defense Marine Asia Ltd, Prosecutors, Simon Bolivar International Locations: masterminding, Venezuela, ” U.S, Singapore, Malaysian, Asia, Kobe, Thailand, Philippines, Southeast Asia, San Diego, Mexico, Cuba, Caracas, Russia