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News Articles: fat leonard

The U.S. freed a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in exchange for the release of 10 Americans imprisoned in the South American country and the return of fugitive defense contractor Leonard Francis known as "Fat Leonard." Francis is at the center of a massive Pentagon bribery scandal, the Biden administration announced Wednesday.

Who is 'Fat Leonard' and how did he end up as part of the Venezuelan prisoner swap?

The infamous Malaysian businessman Leonard Glenn Francis is being extradited to the U.S. Here's everything you need to know about the bribery scandal that brought down dozens of Navy officials.

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By:
  • Vanessa Romo
Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro speaks in Caracas, Venezuela, on Dec. 4, 2023.

U.S. strikes prisoner swap deal with Venezuela, plus extradition of 'Fat Leonard'

Venezuela released 10 Americans, 21 Venezuelans — and extradited the man behind a brazen bribery scheme. In exchange, President Biden granted clemency to an an ally of leader Nicolas Maduro.

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By:
  • Deepa Shivaram
Leonard Francis, a Malaysian defense contractor nicknamed "Fat Leonard," who orchestrated one of the largest bribery scandals in U.S. military history, has been arrested in Venezuela after fleeing before his sentencing, authorities said.

'Fat Leonard,' a fugitive in a massive Navy bribery case, has been caught in Venezuela

Leonard Francis, a Malaysian defense contractor nicknamed "Fat Leonard" who orchestrated one of the largest bribery scandals in U.S. military history, had fled house arrest prior to his sentencing.

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By:
  • The Associated Press