Bribery scandal

The saga of Leonard Francis, the notorious defense contractor nicknamed "Fat Leonard," has taken another dramatic turn. After a year and a half on the lam, Francis faces a potential new sentence and possibly additional charges in a San Diego courtroom. His daring escape from house arrest in 2022 and subsequent extradition from Venezuela have reignited a scandal that rocked the U.S. Navy to its core.

Francis, once a vibrant figure in the San Diego port scene, was convicted in 2015 of orchestrating the worst bribery scandal in Navy history. He showered Navy officials with lavish gifts and luxurious. . .