Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

as you do

US naval captain jailed for selling secrets 'in exchange for prostitutes'

Captain Daniel Dusek has been sentenced to 46 months in jail for crimes including docking an aircraft carrier at a Malaysian port owned by the man who was bribing him.

7460994790_85da2d2040_z Daniel Dusek, pictured in 2012 US Navy US Navy

A TOP US Navy officer has been sentenced to 46 months in prison for giving classified information to a Malaysian contractor in exchange for prostitutes and lavish gifts.

Captain Daniel Dusek, the highest-ranking officer charged in a massive navy bribery scandal, was also ordered to pay a $70,000 (€63,000) fine and $30,000 (€27,000) in restitution to the navy.

“It’s truly unimaginable to the court that someone in your position with the United States Navy would sell out based on what was provided to you – hotel rooms, entertainment and the services of prostitutes,” US District Judge Janis Sammartino said during the sentencing in San Diego, California.

Dusek, 49, who pleaded guilty in January 2015 to conspiracy to commit bribery, was among several current and former naval officers charged in the scandal that involved tens of millions of dollars in bribes. At one point Dusek served as deputy director of operations for the US 7th Fleet.

The man at the centre of the scandal, contractor Leonard Francis, also pleaded guilty in the case last year, admitting that his Singapore-based company – Glenn Defense Marine Asia (GDMA), which provided port services – plied Dusek and others with meals, alcohol, luxury hotel stays and other gifts to ensure US Navy ships stopped at ports where GDMA operated.

Aircraft carrier

In one instance, Dusek arranged for an aircraft carrier – the USS Abraham Lincoln – to stop at Port Klang, Malaysia, a port terminal owned by Francis, the charge sheet said.

The 2010 port visit cost the United States about $1.6 million (€1.4 million), officials said.

“Captain Dusek’s betrayal is the most distressing because the navy placed so much trust, power and authority in his hands,” said US Attorney Laura Duffy.

This is a fitting sentence for a man who was so valuable that his conspirators labeled him their ‘golden asset’.

As part of his guilty plea, Leonard Francis admitted he conned the US military out of tens of millions of dollars by routinely overbilling for fuel, tugboat services and sewage disposal.

He agreed to forfeit $35 million (€31 million) that he made in the scheme and to repay the navy whatever amount the court decides.

© – AFP, 2016

Read: The 1984 drugs bust that shocked JFK’s old posh school

Read: Watch: North Korean propaganda video shows submarine nuclear strike on the US

Your Voice
Readers Comments
25
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.