Blue Ridge
Eight officers of the naval forces of the United States charged with corruption. According to the investigation, the officers received from working in the Singapore businessman Leonard Glenn Francis, carrying out defense contracts, bribery in the form of expensive gifts, prostitutes and living in luxurious hotels, the newspaper the Washington Post with reference to the materials of the Ministry of justice.
Among those formally charged, — rear Admiral Bruce loveless, a retired marine corps Colonel Enrico de Guzman, the four captains in resignation. Sam Francis had previously pleaded guilty to defrauding the Navy in the amount of tens of millions of dollars.
The charges in the case cover the period from 2006 to 2014. In particular, according to the materials of the case, the businessman gave his naval “contractors” watch, boxes of cigars, bottles of brandy. He also sponsored a sex party for the officers of the Seventh fleet flagship Blue Ridge and other military ships.
For example, in 2008, in Manila, five Navy officers took part in the “frantic multi-day party with a carousel of prostitutes” at the hotel “Shangri-La”. The military had all that available to the hotel’s supply of champagne “don Perignon”. All costs in excess of 50 thousand dollars, Francis took over.
In exchange, the officials gave Francis classified or inside information that allowed his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia, to a total of tens of millions of dollars in contracts with the Navy.
A number of defendants in the case have already been arrested. Dozens more are under investigation. Some, in addition, subjected to disciplinary punishments in the Navy. One of the officers, Robert Gilbo, in June last year admitted in court guilt that lied to investigators about his contacts with Francis. Next month it is expected the verdict.