US Navy Admiral to Plead Guilty in Bribery Case

A U.S. Navy rear admiral will plead guilty on Thursday to lying to federal investigators, making him the highest-ranking officer to be convicted in the expanding "Fat Leonard" bribery case, the Washington Post reported, citing his attorney.

Robert Gilbeau, a special assistant to the chief of the Navy Supply Corps, was scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in San Diego late Thursday afternoon, the Post reported, citing court records.

This would bring to 14 the number of people charged in the Singapore-based case, including former Glenn Defense Marine Asia Chief Executive Officer Leonard Francis, a Malaysian businessman known as "Fat Leonard." He pleaded guilty last year to bribery charges. Nine of the 13 previously charged have pleaded guilty.

Gilbeau will plead guilty to one count of making a false statement to investigators, his defense attorney, David Benowitz, told the newspaper.

Three current and former U.S. Navy officers were charged with participating in the scheme on May 27, the U.S. Justice Department said.


(Reporting by Eric Walsh; Editing by David Alexander and Jeffrey Benkoe)