He didn’t “corrupt” Navy officers, they are responsible for their own actions. They corrupted themselves

He didn’t corrupt them!! He simply fed their pleasures! They were always corrupt!!

This has been going on in all aspects 9f the Navy. As a female Navy Veteran (2007- 2015) I can tell you there is way more going on in the active duty navy then anybody outside of it knows. They have effectively silenced many women including myself sadly with credible threats and punishment. And to this day I can't really publicly say what really happens on board due to my dependence on the VA for medical care and money.

I worked for the DOD/Navy as a court reporter for the Senior Military Judge at 32nd Street Naval Base, San Diego back when this story broke. I left about a month before all the charges started coming down. The Navy Officers I saw were not of the high-caliber of officers I am used to in the Army. They have corruption all up and down the Pacific Fleet. Fueling the ships is one of the biggest ones.

I was stationed on CVN73 (USS George Washington) from 2011 - 2014. We (enlisted) were treated terribly by many of the people involved in this scandal. Thank you for doing this story.

He didn't corrupt them. They were corrupt and he took advantage of that fact.

As an enlisted sailor, it’s truly disheartening to see how the people that make decisions for us can be so immoral

I was in the Navy stationed in Japan from 2009-2012. I recall hearing of officers and VIPs going to some expensive parties and even hosting one on the deck of USS Essex in Victoria Harbor. I also recall ALWAYS seeing "Glenn Defense Marina" gear at every port, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, you name it. I am glad Mr. Wright is bringing light to the scandal, like he says this is one of the biggest scandals in military history.

“Only the lower level guys got punished.” Sounds like the military.

In boot camp I met a guy from Nigeria, he was undesignated. Dude was crazy about the Navy. 7 years later still have not met anyone more loyal and honorable like him. He got into a car accident 2 years in and his command didn't take his injuries seriously. He had to get a lawyer because they wouldn't even do an MRI. He was accused of malingering. After 2 botched surgeries, he washed out and now on disability benefit. He'll use a cane for probably the rest of his life. I have one year left and I'm out. No one bearing my last name will serve in the military.

😕This is news? I served on the GW in the late 90's and this was normal. Being deployed for 3-11 months at a time ... sailors, soldiers, airmen or marines don't need any incentive or "Fat Leonard" to do dirt. Civilians may think port calls were for visiting museums and culture but military veterans know the real deal.

I'd rather use the word "tempt" rather than "corrupt" cause those guys had every chance to reject those offers, its a fundamental ethical lesson taught in every damn profession to not receive gifts (bribes) no matter the reason. He's a hustler and he hustled one of the most powerful navy and country in the world that all there is to it.

The navy has always found sexual entertainment in foreign countries. It's well documented in movies from the early ages. He didn't corrupt people. They got what they asked for.

That man is a genius. Props to him. He literally created his own insurance. By others paying deductibles at every turn.

I love how the guy says Leonard was part of "that crazy time when U.S. defense spending was so huge" as if it's gotten any lower today...

LMAO. The fact that Leonard didn't use his power to harm anyone, and that he openly admits what happened, I'm fine with him dying without serving jail time. He played the game mostly clean and won.

So much for "honor, courage, and commitment". Those core values rot from the top down.

He didn’t “corrupt” Navy officers, they are responsible for their own actions.

I was in the military for 8 years and I’m my career I had to deal in affairs with very high ranking officials. The first day I got to my duty station my NCO said “it’s not what you know it’s who you know”

I retired in 1998, and this stuff was going on years, if not decades before this little scam came to light.

Why does he keep saying that this guy was "always looking for people to corrupt" as if he has some special ability to hypnotize people into being bribed as soon as he offers them something

As sad as this is, this is about the 3rd time in my nearest memory that the US Navy was "rocked by a sex scandal". Remember all the media coverage about the one in the 90s and mid 2000s (or thereabout). Lots of talk, no punishment or changes.

Everyone knows in the military the higher you are in ranking the less likely you are held accountable. You can basically get away with anything.

I HAVE INCURRED SO MUCH LOSSES TRADING ON MY OWN... TRADE WELL ON DEMO BUT I THINK THE REAL MARKET IS MANIPULATED... CAN ANYONE HELP ME OUT OR AT LEAST TELL ME WHAT I'M DOING WRONG?

I was stationed in San Diego when this story broke out and to be honest its not that all surprising!! From my fews years in the navy, i noticed the navy does not punish high ranking officers!!! Michael Misiewicz was the fall guy in this whole scandal

Imagine if the true extent of all the corruption that went on at the top was truly uncovered- the world would cease to exist.

It is good that this kind of news is being brought to light. I am sure these kinds of things happen in other countries. Even in my country China. Just censorship kills it all. Thank you for doing this.

Woah, and to hear that he fled house arrest now is 🤯🤯🤯🤯

No one is clean at the top. They all have to have dirt on each other to assure compliance.

Bob Marley Quote: “If something can corrupt you, you're corrupted already.”

The world needs more stories like this amplified.

The more i read, the more grateful i am that i never made it into the military. I was ready. I thought it would be awesome to gain some discipline and skills while serving the country…but then I was DQed over a small medical condition. I was devastated…but after I wiped away the tears and picked myself back up, I went back to school and now I work a very good job…stable. People always looking to hire me. Etc. But since then, I’ve heard nothing but horror stories about existing in the military. SA, corruption, abandonment after being separated from the military..it’s crazy. I don’t think I would’ve survived their bullshit. Life works out the way it needs to, you just gotta keep pushing.

Imagine how much filth and corruption must have been involved in invading other nations.......

To add to my other comment, it's unfortunate that Vice decided to highlight just a "lowly" O5 commander in this piece on the Fat Leonard scandal. What made this scandal so huge was that Fat Leonard was involved with the top brass in the region. Multiple 3 and 4-star admirals who got off relatively unscathed by being forceably retired. These are the guys who should've been profiled. These were the guys moving entire fleets to ports controlled by Fat Leonard, not some O5 destroyer CO. But it was the O5 and below plus the enlisted sailors who were dealt the brunt of the punishments.

I was a contractor stationed overseas when this story broke. With what I’d seen during my time over there I was not at all surprised by this story. Truly just the tip of the iceberg.

Thank you @vice for all your honesty, honor, and hard work and not caring about money about anything except getting the truth and information out, this one is truly a shock but not really at same time just thankful for you all telling the truth so we can start to get good souls back in are fighting services that take care of our nations kids too there in army, military ext.... sending all my love and blessings

The reporter is saying he corrupted them, honest people can never be enticed or corrupted. They are responsible for their own actions.

There’s one thing you can always count on with the armed services of the good old USA…it’s always the men who have no power in the military who’s names will get tossed out to the press, and who will end up getting prosecuted. The men who are higher up, ALWAYS keep their jobs, even when the corruption starts with them… Reprehensible.

I used to work with a US Marine, and he said the same thing about them lol. Heard some wild stories.

Feel very sorry for Marcy. She seems exhausted from having gone through a lot. From not feeling safe in your own home and getting no support to having your life and family turned upside down because her ex risked everything just to feed his own desires.

During my years in the service I learned some very important things. As much as they preached "honor, courage and commitment", they sure were good at hiding scandalous behavior. It's a brotherhood. Sometimes they cover each others back, and many times they throw each other under the bus. It all depended on whether they liked you, or not. Honor? Yeah, bs. It was all about corrupt politics, kissing ass, and covering your tracks. Some of the shadiest people I have ever met ever from the Navy. Everyone cheats on everyone, many who go on deployment cheats on their spouse with prostitutes, attend strip clubs, go to "massage" parlors, etc. Honor my ass. That organization, like all other government organizations are shameful.

I'm beginning to love Vice News. This is the type of journalism that the world needs, especially the U.S. of A. Well done. I will be watching how these trials progress with great interest.

The pharmaceutical companies are doing the same things with their doctors and we have to pay for it, why not not arrest them too???

How many people who reported crime to a CO or CEO have found themselves in hot water, jailed, or even fired? When crimes are big, how could a CO or CEO NOT know what is going on--and approve?

This case is 6+ years old. They were finally able to put the indictments out in 2017 - and it's a lot more interesting than anything that was said in this video.

They took the term sea men too literally.

I like how the news just roasts lenard like what’s his weight gotta do with anything 😂💀💀

This is crazy but not surprising because this happens in all branches of public service and I’m a fireman so I see it, the misappropriation of funds, corruption, different strokes for different folks, favoritism, nepotism, drunk/high mofos it’s crazy out here.

My Captain was involved and relieved from command while I was aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard in Japan. He just got a slap on the wrist. No reduction in rank, no dishonorable discharge. What's funny is so many sailors still love him and are loyal to Captain Dusek.

Imagine this in every port , in every embassy, in every country... im surprised this even came out, without redaction ...

i am a plank owner, and was ship company of the George Washington, cvn-73, commissioned in 1991. i actually watch that ship being built. i could have told anybody that the navy was corrupt.

This is an old story. Retired captain David Lausmann has been dodging his court date for his involvement for years. He is facing even more charges than almost anyone else involved.

I'm a prior supply officer and was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan after this incident. The Fat Leonard scandal is the main reason why I had to do so many ethics trainings during my time in that area. And although Fat Leonard and most of the officers involved were taken down, it's unfortunate but I've seen and had to disburse first hand the port bills the husbanding agents charge us for our ships in places like Vietnam, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea and they have no business being so ridiculously high. The overcharging is still going on. Just with different companies.

The fact that a single cent of our tax dollars funded prostitution or partying of any kind makes me sick.

This just shows how bloated the defense budgets are. They need to be audited and gut all the corruption.

I remember my friends, ex female navy, told me there story, and that the sgts and other male leads, would cover each other and play it off as " its just a small teasing going on between them" and when reported, the females would be considered mentally ill just so their men can be protected. It's saddening.

I love how this guy pretends the members of the Navy were such innocent people until fat Leonard showed up. Should we blame the supplier for the demand that always was there?

"Its Always great to see people when they are drunk & what are they capable of doing"

6:54 NCIS was already investigating him for espionage? That seems like an important point to cover more.

Wow, we taxpayers paid for ALL OF THIS!! DISGUSTING!! AND I PROMISE YOU IT GOES ON ALL THE TIME IN ALL BRANCHES!!

This is what I think : a person will never be able to corrupt someone unless that someone accept to be corrupted. A person think and decide. It was the corrupt navy officers who decide to be corrupted.

This needs to be turned into a movie!!!!

Thank you putting out this information. I hope all the rotten apples will be punish.

Vice is always giving interesting stories. Keep on keeping on.

Nah it’s been corrupted, sounds to me like you are blaming everything on Fat Leonard. Why not blame the government?

Funny to me how Tom keep on repeating "Leonard corrupted" when in fact those navy officers are all adult who are surely aware of what they're doing. He didn't corrupt them, he provides what's asked. They're responsible of all deeds they're done as well lol

The way it’s spun that this one guy is “over billing the US government” is such an absurd stance. It’s in every industry, arms and pharmaceutical being easy examples.

As a former Navy enlistee, going to olongapo city, tons of enlisted had similar experiences for WAYYY cheaper.

My guy doing a job not even our journalist have balls to do it... Respect. Love to see more of corrupt Malaysian "important person".

I am so ashamed to know that I serve in the same Navy as these traitors! I don't care that if they went to jail we'd lose a lot of Admirals. Its time for new and better leadership anyway.

Greatest Podcast Infomercial Ever Created !!! Kudos Vice!!!

Fear + power = abuse of power. This is not a navy story but a current human story. It's generally what happens in my experience: the people at the top collude to be treated differently than those at the bottom. This is in every sector, from new age communities to businesses of all kinds and government agencies.

I understand why this surprises people, but as a former enlisted soldier, I would tell you this is just par for the course.

Yeah I have to agree with you other people in the comments. Fat Leonard didn't corrupt anybody he just offered them what they wanted. The people that used him for his Services were already corrupt. As a grown adult you are responsible for your own actions. Nobody has the power to make you do anything.

This guy reminds me of old school Italian gangsters from the nickname to the bribery to fill his own pockets. He definitely reminds me of a Don.

I served on George Washington from 99 to 05, I was always curious why captains and other officers were given such great gifts and even family vacations while we were on Mediterranean cruises. Same reason why all the hot girls work in division offices while the more conventional female sailors would get stuck with the rest of us. Or why any female can get her surface pin after just 3 weeks of being on board, get sent to sign yolk, and ask you where d.c. central is while you are sitting in the mess decks with the log book. GW was always more like a government trailer park at sea, 5000 brothers and sisters all trying to sleep with each other, broke down planes all over the hanger bay, some yahoo in the back that just sits there revving engines all night and day, and the college educated ones get to ride the drag strip up on the roof and do burnouts in the front yard. In my division alone, I found 3 handles of jack Daniels, 2 handles of captain Morgan, and 6 bottles of maddog 20/20 stuffed into the ventilation throughout our 70 plus spaces in the ship. Cocaine and other quick to piss drugs were also rampant. I even saw flight deck guys who would have enough cough syrup to make half a dozen rap music videos. Like 20 1 liter bottles brought on while visiting ports. The e-4 mafia is real and deep on that boat.

I love how smug he is "Yes I basically took control of most of the US Navy and yes I'm not gonna hide, instead I'm gonna shove it in your faces"

crazy how I was just talking to my lady about corruption, I grew up in Japan as a dependent and just from hearing the stories and seeing the news of what high ranking officers in the navy would do was just sickening. That's one of the reasons why a lot of American troops are being relocated to other pacific islands.

Listened to the podcast today! Highly Recommend!!!

"The WORKS of EVIL on EARTH." 😷

Institutional power, if all the Admirals in this charge were thrown in jail, there would be no senior navy leadership in case a war broke out, hence one of the biggest national security breaches is pushed under the rug

i remember when this whole scandal broke in like 2014...lol, i just *knew* there was going to be so many high-level commanders involved that they'd eventually have to just cover it up. 😒

The corruption goes both ways. One can present the opportunity of corruption, while the other party can accept the corruption. Bottom line: you are responsible for YOUR OWN ACTIONS. At the end of the day, if you choose to engage in damaging activity, it’ll come back to bite you in the ass and you pay for the consequences that follow it.

What's the worst thing about a Navy Sex Party? There's seaman everywhere. 🤭

Iv heard stories from mutual friends of guys in the Royal Marines in England, about sexual abuse to recruits, taking them into rooms and forcing them to perform sexual acts etc.. it's a disgusting system

My guy Leonard really pulled the “if imma die, imma die a legend”

@2:07 Who uses a cassette recorder nowadays? LOL Time for VICE to update their video library.

The irony of the armed forces ad that came on before this video 😳

It absolutely disgusts me to see this in the military. Soldiers are supposed to be honorable. The consequences should be tremendous. Zero retirement benefits.

The defense budget is much higher now than then. Reminds me of Epstein too. Getting dirt & influence, as is done in politics every day.

I can’t believe she ratted him out !?!?

You guys should go investigate the politicians now!

I loved reading about this when it was going on while I was still in, it just goes to show how fucked up the whole procurement process is. Defense contractors get away with so much and this guy who knew how to run an effective mob was able to exploit that.

Just goes to show the military arent any special. Shouldn’t be just granted instant respect at all really. Doesn’t take much to take orders.

I GOT AN ARMY RECRUITMENT ADD BEFORE THE VIDEO LMAOO

This reminds me about the housing scandal recently covered by Angry Cops, serious corruption even state-side.

These are the stories I miss from Vice. The kind that will probably be redacted by the government.

The motivation for people to obtain positions of power and influence is they can get away with corruption that they can’t get away with at lower levels.

As a Malaysian I need to know where can I take these bribery courses.

Great job 👍! Tom !. All the best 👍 !.