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U.S. military contractor Leonard “Fat Leonard” Francis amputated his ankle monitor Sunday and is on the run weeks before he is scheduled to be found guilty in a $35 million U.S. Navy bribery scandal, reports say. .
Francis had been under house arrest in San Diego for years after he pleaded guilty to charges of bribing a U.S. Navy official in 2015. Federal officials said when Francis’ monitor went offline Sunday morning. was immediately notified and security personnel checked his home.
When Francis did not respond to messages or knocks, the team called police to conduct a welfare check around 2 p.m. Sunday, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. The house was completely empty except for one monitor.
Neighbors later told police they saw a U-Haul truck loaded in front of their house in the days and weeks before Francis disappeared.
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“He had this planned, that’s for sure,” Castillo said.
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Law enforcement is now searching for the fugitive, but Castillo reportedly admitted that Francis may have already crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in Southern California. and less than 20 miles from the Mexican border.
Francis, a Malaysian citizen, kicked out the Glen Defense Marine Asia military contractor from Singapore. The company served US Navy vessels docked at ports throughout the region. According to the Union Tribune, he pleaded guilty to bribing U.S. Navy officials to let ships dock at ports he controlled.
Francis allegedly bribed officials with cash, extravagant travel, and even prostitutes.
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It was the largest corruption scandal in U.S. Navy history, indicting at least 34 people, including Francis, his company, a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral and other Navy officials.
This is a developing story. Check back soon for updates.