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The fugitive behind the US navy bribery scandal – nicknamed “Fat Leonard” – has requested asylum in Venezuela following his arrest, a law enforcement official has revealed.

Leonard Glenn Francis, had gone on the run after he escaped his house arrest in San Diego on 4 September.

He was allowed to remain under house arrest while he cooperated with authorities, leading prosecutors to convictions of 33 out of 34 defendants and over two dozen Navy officials.

The Malaysian defence contractor was facing 25 years in prison in a sentencing set for 22 September, but cut off his GPS anklet and left his California home.

He was captured in the South American country a week ago.

Venezuelan authorities arrested Francis at Caracas airport before he could board his flight to Russia, amid a global manhunt with a $40,000 reward for his arrest, officials said.

Now “Fat Leonard” is requesting asylum in the Spanish-speaking country – a request the Venezuelan government have to consider by law.

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Venezuela, Malaysia and Singapore all have extradition agreements with America, although the Biden administration does not have an embassy in Venezuela and has imposed sanctions on them.

“Fat Leonard” was first arrested in 2013 when he had been accused of bribing US navy officers to help his Singapore-based ship servicing company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia Ltd or GDMA.

Wild sex parties

He had used cash, cigars, expensive food and wild sex parties in luxury hotels in exchange for contracts.

He pleaded guilty to fraud in the two years that followed with his ship-servicing company at the centre of the scheme.

In redirecting military vessels to ports lucrative for his company, Francis had overcharged the US military by more than $35m for services, prosecutors had said.

The US authorities now have 30 days to formally request his extradition.

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Elon Musk says he’s created his own political party – the ‘America Party’

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Elon Musk says he's created his own political party - the 'America Party'

Elon Musk says he has created a new political party – the America Party –
after asking his followers if he should do so in an online poll.

It follows his public falling out with Republican President Donald Trump.

On Friday, the billionaire had asked his followers on X whether a new US political party should be created.

On Saturday evening he wrote on the same platform: “By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!

“When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy.

“Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”

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Trump threatens to ‘put DOGE’ on Musk

The world’s richest man made the announcement just one day after President Trump signed a tax-cut and spending bill into law on Friday, which Musk had fiercely opposed.

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Musk had previously said we would form and fund a new political party to unseat lawmakers who supported the bill.

From bromance to bust-up

The Tesla boss backed Trump’s election campaign with more than a quarter of a billion dollars, later rewarded with a high profile role running the newly created department of government efficiency (DOGE).

But observers of the two men, both with huge wealth and reputations, wondered how long the bromance would last.

Elon Musk receives a golden key from U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
Donald Trump gave Musk a warm send-off in the Oval Office in May. Pic: Reuters

In May Musk left the role, still on good terms with Trump but criticising key parts of his legislative agenda.

After that, the attacks ramped up, with Musk slamming the sweeping tax and spending bill as a “disgusting abomination” and Trump hitting back in a barbed tit-for-tat.

Trump earlier this week threatened to cut off the billion-dollar federal subsidies that flow to Musk’s companies, and said he would even consider deporting him.

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Is this the most powerful Trump’s been?

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Is this the most powerful Trump's been?

👉 Follow Trump100 on your podcast app 👈

Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ has passed and he’s due to sign it into law on Independence Day. Mark Stone and David Blevins discuss how the bill will supercharge his presidency, despite its critics.

They also chat Gaza and Ukraine, as Donald Trump meets with freed Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander and talks to Vladimir Putin.

If you’ve got a question you’d like the Trump100 team to answer, you can email it to trump100@sky.uk.

You can also watch all episodes on our YouTube channel.

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At least 13 people confirmed dead and more than 20 missing from girls camp in Texas flooding

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At least 13 people confirmed dead and more than 20 missing from girls camp in Texas flooding

13 people have been killed in the US state of Texas after heavy rain caused flash flooding, according to local media reports.

Officials have also said more than 20 are missing from a girls’ camp in Texas.

As much as 10 inches (25 centimetres) of heavy rain fell in just a few hours overnight in central Kerr County, causing flash flooding of the Guadalupe River.

Judge Rob Kelly, the chief elected official in the county, confirmed fatalities from the flooding and dozens of water rescues so far.

A flood watch issued on Thursday afternoon estimated isolated amounts up to seven inches (17 centimetres) of rising water.

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