WASHINGTON, Nov 22: The US Navy said it has suspended the deputy commander of a unit responsible for port and harbor security as a result of allegations in the widening corruption probe involving a Singapore-based defense contractor.
Captain David Haas was suspended as deputy commander of Coastal Riverine Group 1 in San Diego, which is responsible for port security and military operations in rivers, harbors and coastal waterways, the Navy said. He was temporarily reassigned effective to the Expeditionary Training Group staff.
Six Navy officers and a Navy criminal investigator have been touched by allegations in the probe of contractor Glenn Defense Marine Asia, whose chief executive, Leonard Glenn Francis, is accused of plying Navy officials with cash, concert tickets and prostitutes in a bid to win business for his firm.
Francis, a 49-year-old Malaysian businessman, was arrested in San Diego on September 16. A federal magistrate granted him $1 million bail yesterday but stayed her ruling pending a review by another judge, meaning he would have to remain in jail for the time being.
Magistrate Judge Jan Adler also ordered Francis to wear a GPS monitoring device and install a sophisticated home security system that would allow monitoring of his whereabouts.
During a detention hearing in US District Court in San Diego, federal prosecutors objected to his release, saying Francis’ wealth and connections would make it easy for him to leave the country.
“He’s got the resources, sophistication and world wisdom to go wherever he wants,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Huie said. Huie said Francis could also face additional charges.
But defense attorney Pat Swan countered that his client had come back to the US willingly despite knowing that he was under investigation and said he was not likely to go on the lam.
(agencies)
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