Leonard Francis, known as "Fat Leonard" for his imposing girth, has been well-connected in top U.S. Navy circles, perhaps too connected.


His company, Glenn Defense Marine, provided logistics support to U.S. warships at ports in East Asia.


Since 2011, the company has won more than $200 million in Navy contracts, contracts that federal investigators now charge are at the center of an elaborate criminal conspiracy involving bribery, fraud and more.


Last month, The Washington Post reported that Francis plied top Navy commanders with prostitutes, cash, luxury hotel rooms, even tickets to a Lady Gaga concert in Thailand.


In return, officials at the Justice Department say, Francis received classified information on ship deployments.


He also allegedly pressured commanders to steer ships to ports where his company would then overcharge for services like sewage disposal and tugboats.


In September, the Justice Department arrested Francis and two Navy commanders, as well as a top agent in the Naval Criminal Investigative Service who allegedly fed him information.


Two admirals, including the director of naval intelligence, have been placed on leave and lost their security clearances.


http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/military/july-dec13/navy_11-27.html