MIAMI: The United States has regained custody of Leonard Glenn Francis (pic), the Malaysian owner of a ship-servicing company who is the central character in one of the largest bribery scandals in Pentagon history.
This came after the US freed a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in exchange for the release of 10 Americans imprisoned in the South American country and the return of Francis, a fugitive defence contractor who is better known as “Fat Leonard” – a principal actor at the bribery scandal involving the US Navy.
In a Wednesday announcement by the Biden administration, Francis, who fled to Venezuela after he was convicted by US courts, was handed back to the US in a deal that is seen as a step forward in US-Venezuelan ties.
The deal represents the Biden administration’s boldest move yet to improve relations with the major oil-producing nation and extract concessions from the self-proclaimed socialist leader.
The largest release of American prisoners in Venezuela’s history comes weeks after the White House agreed to suspend some sanctions, following a commitment by Maduro to work toward free and fair conditions for the 2024 presidential election.
Meanwhile, Maduro celebrated the return of Alex Saab as a “triumph for truth” over what he called a US-led campaign of lies, threats and torture against someone he considers a Venezuelan diplomat illegally arrested on a US warrant.
“President Biden, we won’t be anyone’s colony,” a defiant Maduro said with Saab at his side for a hero’s welcome at the presidential palace.
The release of Saab, long regarded by Washington as a bagman for Maduro, is a significant concession to the Venezuelan leader.
Making this deal more palatable to the White House was Venezuela’s willingness to return Francis.
Nicknamed Fat Leonard for his bulging 1.9m frame, Francis was arrested in a San Diego hotel nearly a decade ago as part of a federal sting operation.
Investigators say he bilked the US military out of more than US$35mil (RM163mil) by buying off dozens of top-ranking Navy officers with booze, sex, lavish parties and other gifts.
Three weeks before he faced sentencing in September 2022, Francis made an escape as stunning and brazen as the case itself as he snipped off his ankle monitor and disappeared.
He was arrested by Venezuelan police attempting to board a flight from Caracas, and has been in custody since. — AP
