The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of California released the below information yesterday.
SAN DIEGO – U.S. Navy Captain (Retired) David Williams Haas (seen
in the above photo) was sentenced today to 30 months in prison by a federal
district judge in San Diego on charges that he received more than $90,000 in
bribes from foreign defense contractor Leonard Francis, who plied him with
luxurious hotel stays, travel, and prostitutes. Haas was also ordered to
pay a criminal fine of $30,000 and restitution in the amount of $90,968.82.
“Public
corruption erodes the very fabric of our democracy, threatening the reputation
and functioning of our institutions and thus the ability of the United States
to lead with credibility,” said U.S. Attorney Randy S. Grossman. “Today’s
sentencing, in part, replenishes the well of democracy, signaling to all
Americans that the business of your public institutions will be conducted in
the light, without bias or favor.”
According to court documents, Haas reciprocated by using his
influence within the Navy’s Seventh Fleet to steer ships to GDMA-controlled
ports and otherwise advance the interests of Francis and GDMA.
According to the court documents, Haas received the following
bribes, among others, from Francis:
- On May
11-15, 2012, Francis paid for rooms at the Shangri-La in Jakarta,
Indonesia, plus dinner, entertainment at a night club, alcohol and
prostitutes for Haas and others.
- On June
29-30, 2012, in Tokyo, Japan, Francis paid for a two-day party for Haas
and others including transportation, dinner at Nobu Restaurant and
entertainment at several hostess clubs where the services of prostitutes
were provided, at a cost of more than $75,000.
“Mr. Haas’ sentencing brings accountability and closure to the
willful illegal acts of a former U.S. Navy officer, who abused his position, to
illegally enrich himself and others, at the expense of the American taxpayer,
as well as the safety and security of our naval forces in the Pacific area of
operations,” said Kelly P. Mayo, the Director of the Department of Defense
Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS).
“This outcome, and others associated with it, demonstrate the steadfast
commitment of DCIS and our law enforcement partners to expose corruption within
the Department.”
“Mr. Haas betrayed his oath to his country by soliciting,
receiving, and accepting a stream of lavish gifts from GDMA, including over
$90,000 in meals, entertainment, hotel expenses, and the services of
prostitutes, in return for doing and omitting to do acts in violation of his
official Navy duties,” said NCIS Director Omar Lopez. “NCIS and our law
enforcement partners remain committed to fully investigating all allegations of
bribery and corruption that threaten the integrity of the Department of the
Navy.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark W. Pletcher, Valerie Chu, Michelle Wasserman, and David Chu of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.
You can also read my Counterterrorism magazine piece on the Fat Leonard Navy bribery and fraud case via the below link:
Paul Davis On Crime: My Piece On The 'Fat Leonard' U.S. Navy Bribery And Fraud Case
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