A Navy officer pleaded guilty in San Diego federal court Thursday to felony charges he lied to investigators to conceal his illicit years-long relationship with Glenn “Fat Leonard” Francis, a foreign defense contractor at the center of a massive bribery and fraud scandal.
Navy Rear Adm. Robert Gilbeau, 55, is the highest-ranking Navy officer charged in the investigation so far, and is believed to be the first active-duty Naval flag officer ever charged in federal criminal court.
Gilbeau — who remains free on a $75,000 bond — faces a maximum of five years in prison when he is sentenced Aug. 26 by U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino.