Posted on Jun 12, 2016
US Navy Admiral Guilty in Fat Leonard Bribery Case
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WASHINGTON — US Navy Rear Adm. Robert Gilbeau pleaded guilty today to one count in the Glenn Defense Marine Asia (GDMA) investigation, becoming the highest-ranking officer thus far to face federal criminal charges.
He becomes the 14th person federally indicted in the GDMA scandal, also known as the "Fat Leonard" case after a nickname for Leonard Francis, the organization’s top official. Gilbeau became the ninth person charged to plead guilty.
Most of those charged were accused of accepting bribes and favors and committing fraud in exchange for information on US Navy ship movements in the western Pacific and arranging visits to specific ports where GDMA handled ship husbanding chores — the panoply of services needed by any ship visiting a foreign port.
Gilbeau, 55, a supply officer living in Burke, Virginia, pleaded guilty in a San Diego federal courthouse to making a false statement to federal investigators, but was not directly charged with criminal activity in conjunction with his relations to GDMA.
According to the Justice Department, Gilbeau admitted he lied when he told agents from the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) that he had never received any gifts from Francis, the owner of Singapore-based GDMA.
Gilbeau also admitted he lied in telling investigators that he “always paid for half of the dinner” when he and Francis met about three times a year, according to Justice. The one-star admiral further admitted that when he became aware that Francis and others had been arrested in connection with the fraud and bribery offenses in September 2013, he destroyed documents and deleted computer files.
Francis previously pleaded guilty to plying scores of other US Navy officials with gifts such as luxury travel, meals, cash, electronics, parties and prostitutes.
According to his service record, Gilbeau served as a supply officer aboard several ships that operated in GDMA’s territory. His most recent seagoing assignment was as supply officer aboard the aircraft carrier Nimitz, which operated in GDMA's area during a 2003 deployment when Gilbeau was aboard. Gilbeau also served as a crisis action team leader during tsunami relief operations in early 2005. A 1983 graduate of the US Naval Academy, Gilbeau's awards include the Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, four Meritorious Service Medals, a Navy Unit Commendation and a Combat Action Ribbon.
The Justice Department, in a press release, did not specify the actions that led to the investigation targeting Gilbeau. But the release noted that Gilbeau, as supply officer on the Nimitz in 2003 and 2004, was responsible for procuring all goods and services necessary for operation of the ship. Justice noted that Gilbeau later served as head of the Tsunami Relief Crisis Action Team in Singapore, heading the Navy’s logistics response to the Southeast Asia tsunami in December 2004, and added that in June 2005, Gilbeau was assigned to the office of the Chief of Naval Operations as the head of aviation material support, establishing policies and requirements for budgeting and acquisitions for the Navy’s air forces.
Justice also noted that in August 2010 — apparently after being selected for the rank of rear admiral, which he assumed in September 2011 — Gilbeau assumed command of the Defense Contract Management Agency International, “where he was responsible for the global administration of DoD’s most critical contracts performed outside the United States, according to admissions made in connection with his plea.”
Gilbeau’s most recent posting was as a special assistant to the Chief of the Supply Corps at the Defense Logistics Agency headquarters on Fort Belvoir, Virginia – apparently a holding position while the investigation was carried out.
Sentencing for Gilbeau has been scheduled for Aug. 26 before US District Judge Janis Sammartino of the Southern District of California.
Friday’s announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, US Attorney Laura Duffy of the Southern District of California, Acting Director Dermot O’Reilly of DCIS, Director Andrew Traver of NCIS and Director Anita Bales of the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). Each of them issued a statement condemning Gilbeau.
“As a flag-level officer in the US Navy, [Rear] Admiral Gilbeau understood his duty to be honest with the federal agents investigating this sprawling bribery scheme,” Caldwell said. “By destroying documents and lying about the gifts that he received, Admiral Gilbeau broke the law and dishonored his uniform.”
“Of those who wear our nation’s uniform in the service of our country, only a select few have been honored to hold the rank of admiral — and not a single one is above the law,” said Duffy. “Admiral Gilbeau lied to federal agents investigating corruption and fraud, and then tried to cover up his deception by destroying documents and files. Whether the evidence leads us to a civilian, to an enlisted service member or to an admiral, as this investigation expands we will continue to hold responsible all those who lied or who corruptly betrayed their public duties for personal gain.”
“The guilty plea of Rear Admiral Robert Gilbeau is an unfortunate example of a dishonorable naval flag officer who has betrayed his shipmates, the US Navy and his country,” O’Reilly said. “Admiral Gilbeau's guilty plea should be a resounding message that DCIS, Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Department of Justice will continue to investigate and seek to prosecute any individual, regardless of position or rank, who would put our mission of ‘Protecting America’s Warfighters’ at risk.”
“This investigation demonstrates that corruption, conspiracy and the release of sensitive information puts Department of the Navy personnel and resources at risk,” said Traver. “And in concert with our partner agencies, NCIS remains resolved to follow the evidence, to help hold accountable those who make personal reward a higher priority than professional responsibility.”
“DCAA is proud to stand in partnership with our law enforcement allies and make a meaningful contribution to the outcome in this egregious case,” Bales added. “It is very disappointing that this high-ranking individual lost sight of his responsibility as a government official. We look forward to continuing our support of this significant investigation.”
Gilbeau's attorney, David Benowitiz, issued a statement on Gilbeau’s behalf prior to today's court appearance in San Diego. “Rear Admiral Robert Gilbeau has completed multiple combat deployments afloat and ashore during his distinguished 37-year naval career,” Benowitz said. “Among his many decorations, he was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart during the 2007 Iraq surge.
“However, Rear Admiral Gilbeau did in fact make a false statement during the course of an important investigation. In this unfortunate situation, he accepts responsibility for the decisions he made and for his conduct.”
Gilbeau is the fourth officer in recent weeks to face federal charges in the GDMA case. Three other officers were charged on May 27: retired Capt. Michael Brooks; Cmdr. Bobby Pitts; and Lt. Cmdr. Gentry Debord. Those cases have not yet gone to trial.
As Gilbeau was appearing in court Thursday, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus issued a statement praising investigators.
“The Naval Criminal Investigative Service, along with the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the Defense Contract Audit Agency did impressive work to discover the corruption in these cases and provided the evidence used to prosecute those who violated the trust we expect from people in these positions,” Mabus said in the statement.
“We now have some of the strongest counter-fraud efforts in the government, to include additional measures to assure contracting integrity, and although the vast majority of our men and women in uniform live out the Navy's core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment, we will continue to hold accountable those involved in fraudulent conduct,” he added.
Adm. John Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations, issued a personal statement just before the indictment was announced.
“This behavior is inconsistent with our standards and the expectations the nation has for us as military professionals,” Richardson wrote. “It damages the trust that the nation places in us, and is an embarrassment to the Navy.
“We are fully cooperating with officials from the Department of Justice and law enforcement agencies to ensure that those who violated the law are held accountable. But we must go further. We naval officers have a professional and moral obligation to continuously examine our personal conduct to ensure that we embody the attributes of integrity and accountability. We must hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of behavior, and work tirelessly to restore any damage that has been done to these crucial relationships. As CNO, I am personally committed to leading this effort.”
The investigation is continuing under NCIS, DCIS and DCAA. Assistant Chief Brian Young of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant US Attorneys Mark Pletcher and Patrick Hovakimian of the Southern District of California are prosecuting the case.
He becomes the 14th person federally indicted in the GDMA scandal, also known as the "Fat Leonard" case after a nickname for Leonard Francis, the organization’s top official. Gilbeau became the ninth person charged to plead guilty.
Most of those charged were accused of accepting bribes and favors and committing fraud in exchange for information on US Navy ship movements in the western Pacific and arranging visits to specific ports where GDMA handled ship husbanding chores — the panoply of services needed by any ship visiting a foreign port.
Gilbeau, 55, a supply officer living in Burke, Virginia, pleaded guilty in a San Diego federal courthouse to making a false statement to federal investigators, but was not directly charged with criminal activity in conjunction with his relations to GDMA.
According to the Justice Department, Gilbeau admitted he lied when he told agents from the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) that he had never received any gifts from Francis, the owner of Singapore-based GDMA.
Gilbeau also admitted he lied in telling investigators that he “always paid for half of the dinner” when he and Francis met about three times a year, according to Justice. The one-star admiral further admitted that when he became aware that Francis and others had been arrested in connection with the fraud and bribery offenses in September 2013, he destroyed documents and deleted computer files.
Francis previously pleaded guilty to plying scores of other US Navy officials with gifts such as luxury travel, meals, cash, electronics, parties and prostitutes.
According to his service record, Gilbeau served as a supply officer aboard several ships that operated in GDMA’s territory. His most recent seagoing assignment was as supply officer aboard the aircraft carrier Nimitz, which operated in GDMA's area during a 2003 deployment when Gilbeau was aboard. Gilbeau also served as a crisis action team leader during tsunami relief operations in early 2005. A 1983 graduate of the US Naval Academy, Gilbeau's awards include the Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, four Meritorious Service Medals, a Navy Unit Commendation and a Combat Action Ribbon.
The Justice Department, in a press release, did not specify the actions that led to the investigation targeting Gilbeau. But the release noted that Gilbeau, as supply officer on the Nimitz in 2003 and 2004, was responsible for procuring all goods and services necessary for operation of the ship. Justice noted that Gilbeau later served as head of the Tsunami Relief Crisis Action Team in Singapore, heading the Navy’s logistics response to the Southeast Asia tsunami in December 2004, and added that in June 2005, Gilbeau was assigned to the office of the Chief of Naval Operations as the head of aviation material support, establishing policies and requirements for budgeting and acquisitions for the Navy’s air forces.
Justice also noted that in August 2010 — apparently after being selected for the rank of rear admiral, which he assumed in September 2011 — Gilbeau assumed command of the Defense Contract Management Agency International, “where he was responsible for the global administration of DoD’s most critical contracts performed outside the United States, according to admissions made in connection with his plea.”
Gilbeau’s most recent posting was as a special assistant to the Chief of the Supply Corps at the Defense Logistics Agency headquarters on Fort Belvoir, Virginia – apparently a holding position while the investigation was carried out.
Sentencing for Gilbeau has been scheduled for Aug. 26 before US District Judge Janis Sammartino of the Southern District of California.
Friday’s announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, US Attorney Laura Duffy of the Southern District of California, Acting Director Dermot O’Reilly of DCIS, Director Andrew Traver of NCIS and Director Anita Bales of the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). Each of them issued a statement condemning Gilbeau.
“As a flag-level officer in the US Navy, [Rear] Admiral Gilbeau understood his duty to be honest with the federal agents investigating this sprawling bribery scheme,” Caldwell said. “By destroying documents and lying about the gifts that he received, Admiral Gilbeau broke the law and dishonored his uniform.”
“Of those who wear our nation’s uniform in the service of our country, only a select few have been honored to hold the rank of admiral — and not a single one is above the law,” said Duffy. “Admiral Gilbeau lied to federal agents investigating corruption and fraud, and then tried to cover up his deception by destroying documents and files. Whether the evidence leads us to a civilian, to an enlisted service member or to an admiral, as this investigation expands we will continue to hold responsible all those who lied or who corruptly betrayed their public duties for personal gain.”
“The guilty plea of Rear Admiral Robert Gilbeau is an unfortunate example of a dishonorable naval flag officer who has betrayed his shipmates, the US Navy and his country,” O’Reilly said. “Admiral Gilbeau's guilty plea should be a resounding message that DCIS, Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Department of Justice will continue to investigate and seek to prosecute any individual, regardless of position or rank, who would put our mission of ‘Protecting America’s Warfighters’ at risk.”
“This investigation demonstrates that corruption, conspiracy and the release of sensitive information puts Department of the Navy personnel and resources at risk,” said Traver. “And in concert with our partner agencies, NCIS remains resolved to follow the evidence, to help hold accountable those who make personal reward a higher priority than professional responsibility.”
“DCAA is proud to stand in partnership with our law enforcement allies and make a meaningful contribution to the outcome in this egregious case,” Bales added. “It is very disappointing that this high-ranking individual lost sight of his responsibility as a government official. We look forward to continuing our support of this significant investigation.”
Gilbeau's attorney, David Benowitiz, issued a statement on Gilbeau’s behalf prior to today's court appearance in San Diego. “Rear Admiral Robert Gilbeau has completed multiple combat deployments afloat and ashore during his distinguished 37-year naval career,” Benowitz said. “Among his many decorations, he was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart during the 2007 Iraq surge.
“However, Rear Admiral Gilbeau did in fact make a false statement during the course of an important investigation. In this unfortunate situation, he accepts responsibility for the decisions he made and for his conduct.”
Gilbeau is the fourth officer in recent weeks to face federal charges in the GDMA case. Three other officers were charged on May 27: retired Capt. Michael Brooks; Cmdr. Bobby Pitts; and Lt. Cmdr. Gentry Debord. Those cases have not yet gone to trial.
As Gilbeau was appearing in court Thursday, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus issued a statement praising investigators.
“The Naval Criminal Investigative Service, along with the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the Defense Contract Audit Agency did impressive work to discover the corruption in these cases and provided the evidence used to prosecute those who violated the trust we expect from people in these positions,” Mabus said in the statement.
“We now have some of the strongest counter-fraud efforts in the government, to include additional measures to assure contracting integrity, and although the vast majority of our men and women in uniform live out the Navy's core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment, we will continue to hold accountable those involved in fraudulent conduct,” he added.
Adm. John Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations, issued a personal statement just before the indictment was announced.
“This behavior is inconsistent with our standards and the expectations the nation has for us as military professionals,” Richardson wrote. “It damages the trust that the nation places in us, and is an embarrassment to the Navy.
“We are fully cooperating with officials from the Department of Justice and law enforcement agencies to ensure that those who violated the law are held accountable. But we must go further. We naval officers have a professional and moral obligation to continuously examine our personal conduct to ensure that we embody the attributes of integrity and accountability. We must hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of behavior, and work tirelessly to restore any damage that has been done to these crucial relationships. As CNO, I am personally committed to leading this effort.”
The investigation is continuing under NCIS, DCIS and DCAA. Assistant Chief Brian Young of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant US Attorneys Mark Pletcher and Patrick Hovakimian of the Southern District of California are prosecuting the case.
US Navy Admiral Guilty in Fat Leonard Bribery Case
Posted from navytimes.com
Crime
ADM
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 8
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That is good news for justice I believe and bad news for corrupt officers [military and civilian] SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL. It would be great if the standards applied tom the military and the watchdog organizations which assist investigations were as good at the Department of State and Veterans Affairs for starters.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
LTC Stephen F. roger that, well said, there is always going to be evil and good at all ranks. It doesn't discriminate.
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I can't applaud the investgators enough, when high ranking officers are involved,to me it only shows how their subordinates get sucked into the mire,some just following orders,others knowing full well that it could only lead to trouble. How do we know if the chain of command is for real or do we have to tread lightly,for fear of retaliation?
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