Sept 6 (Reuters) - Four former U.S. Navy officers charged in a massive bribery scandal linked to the man known as Fat Leonard were cleared of felony charges on Wednesday by a judge citing prosecutor misconduct.
After the felony charges were cleared, the four former officers each pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor with only a $100 fine as punishment, court documents show.
Three of the four former officers - David Newland, James Dolan and Mario Herrera - each admitted to disclosing Navy information to the Malaysian businessman at the center the scandal, Leonard Glenn Francis, known as "Fat Leonard."
Prosecutors said that in exchange for contracts, Francis gave Navy officers cash, gourmet food, expensive cigars, rare cognac and hotel sex parties.
In 2015 Leonard pleaded guilty to bribing Navy officials through his Singapore-based company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia, which serviced ships in the Navy's Pacific Fleet.
Persons:
Leonard, Judge Janis Sammartino, Andrew Haden, Haden, David Newland, James Dolan, Mario Herrera, Leonard Glenn Francis, Francis, Daniel Trotta, Donna Bryson, Leslie Adler
Organizations:
U.S . Navy, U.S, San Diego Union, Tribune, Union - Tribune, Navy, U.S . Department of Justice, Justice Department, Acting, Justice, Prosecutors, Glenn Defense Marine Asia, Fleet, Thomson
Locations:
U.S, Malaysian, United States, Venezuela, Singapore