US Navy commander accused of passing secrets in exchange for hookers, Lady Gaga tickets

Image
ANI Washington
Last Updated : Nov 05 2013 | 2:00 PM IST

A US Navy commander has been reportedly accused of giving away confidential information on ship routes to a Malaysian businessman in exchange for bribes, access to prostitutes and Lady Gaga tickets.

Navy commander Michael Vannak Khem Misiewicz passed on the classified information to Singapore-based Glenn Defence Marine Asia Ltd (GDMA).

GDMA chief Leonard Francis has been accused of conspiring with Misiewicz to divert US aircraft carriers, destroyers and other vessels to Asian ports where Francis could inflate costs, Sky News reports.

According to the report, Francis' firm overcharged the Navy millions of dollars for fuel, food and other services it provided, and invented tariffs by using phony port authorities.

Rear Admiral Terry McKnight, who does not know Francis personally, said that the businessman is legendary in military circles in that part of the world.

The report said that authorities have arrested Misiewicz and Francis, as well as GDMA's general manager of global government contracts, Alex Wisidagama along with a senior Navy investigator, John Beliveau II.

The accused have pleaded not guilty and the hearing has been scheduled for November 8.

Meanwhile, senior Navy officials said that more people would likely be implicated in the scheme, but it was too early to tell how many or how high this will go in the naval ranks.

Navy spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said Navy Criminal Investigative Service agents initiated their probe in 2010.

The report added that if convicted, the accused may face up to five years in prison on charges of conspiracy to commit bribery.

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Nov 05 2013 | 1:52 PM IST

Next Story