The Malaysian contractor known as "Fat Leonard" was arrested in Venezuela after fleeing house arrest earlier this month.
A man named 'Fat Leonard' was captured in Venezuela.
Carlos Garate Rondon said in a statement that Leonard Glenn Francis was taken into custody at the airport.
On the eve of Francis' sentencing, the arrest was confirmed by the U.S. marshals service.
Rondon said that Francis was arrested while he was about to travel to Russia.
He was taken into custody under a red notice issued by the U.S. authorities.
Francis will be turned over to the authorities in Venezuela.
Francis pleaded guilty to offering $500,000, prostitution services and luxury hotels and meals in bribes to officers in order to get work for his shipyards. The saga has cost the U.S. Navy a lot of money. More than 30 officers and contractors have been convicted or pleaded guilty in connection with the scheme, and prosecutors say it cost the Navy at least $35 million. Francis was allowed to live under house arrest due to his poor health but he escaped just weeks before he was due to be sentenced. The incident raised questions over how his case was handled by law enforcement agencies and Francis was able to flee after cutting off his ankle bracelet, but also pack up a rented van with his belongings. He could try to return to Asia if he crossed the U.S.- Mexico border.
It wasn't clear when Francis would be extradited to the US.
Whiskey, Kobe beef and a pig are included in the navy bribe scandal.
A fugitive in a huge Navy bribe case has been captured in Venezuela.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
