The Arrest and Release of 'Fat Leonard': From Navy Scandal to Venezuelan Prisoner Swap

TL;DR Summary
Leonard Francis, also known as "Fat Leonard," a defense contractor involved in a massive Pentagon bribery scandal, is being extradited to the U.S. as part of a prisoner swap deal with Venezuela. Francis had escaped from house arrest in San Diego in 2022 but was captured in Venezuela. He had pleaded guilty to bribing naval officers and overcharging the Pentagon for services, resulting in a loss of $35 million. Francis will now face sentencing in the U.S. after embarrassing the government with his escape.
- Who is 'Fat Leonard' and how did he end up as part of the Venezuelan prisoner swap? NPR
- US, Venezuela swap prisoners: Maduro ally for 10 Americans, plus fugitive contractor 'Fat Leonard' The Associated Press
- L.A. public defender Eyvin Hernandez freed from Venezuela in prisoner swap Los Angeles Times
- Oakland man released by Venezuelan in prisoner swap with US KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco
- 'Fat Leonard,' mastermind behind US Navy corruption scandal, arrested ABC News
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