'Fat Leonard' Requests New Legal Representation, Delaying Sentencing

The defense contractor, involved in a major U.S. Navy bribery scheme, was recently returned to U.S. custody following a Venezuelan prisoner swap.

Leonard 'Fat Leonard' Francis, a defense contractor involved in a massive bribery scheme involving the U.S. Navy, has requested new attorneys, causing a delay in his sentencing.
Francis had fled to South America weeks before his scheduled sentencing but was returned to U.S. custody following a Venezuelan prisoner swap.
Francis' previous law firm, Warren & Burstein, initially requested the change in representation, a decision they made with a 'heavy heart.'
Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Sheppard objected to the change, stating it would delay Francis' sentencing as a new attorney would need time to get up to speed.
Francis, who owned Singapore-based Glenn Defense Marine Asia Ltd., pleaded guilty in 2015 to offering over $500,000 in cash bribes, along with other gifts and wild sex parties in Southeast Asia, to Navy officials, defense contractors and others.