The fugitive behind the US navy bribery scandal – nicknamed “Fat Leonard” – has requested asylum in Venezuela following his arrest, a regulation enforcement official has revealed.
Leonard Glenn Francis, had gone on the run after he escaped his home arrest in San Diego on 4 September.
He was allowed to stay underneath home arrest whereas he cooperated with authorities, main prosecutors to convictions of 33 out of 34 defendants and over two dozen Navy officers.
The Malaysian defence contractor was going through 25 years in jail in a sentencing set for 22 September, however lower off his GPS anklet and left his California residence.
He was captured within the South American nation per week in the past.
Venezuelan authorities arrested Francis at Caracas airport earlier than he may board his flight to Russia, amid a world manhunt with a $40,000 reward for his arrest, officers mentioned.
Now “Fat Leonard” is requesting asylum within the Spanish-speaking nation – a request the Venezuelan authorities have to think about by regulation.
Venezuela, Malaysia and Singapore all have extradition agreements with America, though the Biden administration doesn’t have an embassy in Venezuela and has imposed sanctions on them.
“Fat Leonard” was first arrested in 2013 when he had been accused of bribing US navy officers to assist his Singapore-based ship servicing firm, Glenn Defense Marine Asia Ltd or GDMA.
Wild intercourse events
He had used money, cigars, costly meals and wild intercourse events in luxurious lodges in change for contracts.
He pleaded responsible to fraud within the two years that adopted together with his ship-servicing firm on the centre of the scheme.
In redirecting navy vessels to ports profitable for his firm, Francis had overcharged the US navy by greater than $35m for providers, prosecutors had mentioned.
The US authorities now have 30 days to formally request his extradition.
Source: information.sky.com”