House panel opens probe into Navy bribery and fraud scandal
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has opened an investigation into an unfolding Navy sex-and-bribery scandal and other allegations of contracting fraud.
In a letter sent this week to Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, the committee chairman, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), said he was concerned that the Navy’s investigations and reviews “will not go far enough.” He said the Navy needed to strengthen its oversight policies further “to prevent the waste, fraud and mismanagement of millions of additional taxpayer dollars.”
Issa ordered the Navy to share copies of all records of contracts it has signed since 2009 with Glenn Defense Marine Asia, a Singapore-based firm that resupplied and serviced Navy vessels throughout Asia until its chief executive was arrested in a federal sting operation in September.
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Glenn Defense Marine and its president, Leonard Glenn Francis, are principal characters in one of the biggest contracting fraud investigations in the Navy’s 238-year history, with accusations of bribes involving prostitutes and cash.
Washington Post
1/30/14
Magnolia Tribune
