Fat Leonard’s Exclusive Interview from Prison

Democracy Dies in Darkness

In an exclusive interview, Leonard Glenn Francis, better known as Fat Leonard, shared with The Post his extraordinary tale of escape and a pursuit for a presidential pardon. Now back behind bars, Francis is renowned for his notorious career in bribing U.S. Navy officers.

Fat Leonard, donning a baggy prison uniform, greeted the interviewer in a sparse visiting room at a secluded federal prison on the Pacific coast of Lompoc, California. His massive build strained the limits of the cramped plastic chair he occupied. Despite his circumstances, a mischievous smile spread across his face as he prepared to reveal some closely kept secrets.

Previously, Leonard was celebrated for his extravagant banquets and deep connections within the Navy, often seen raising his glass in camaraderie with top officers. One such gathering took place in Singapore on March 9, 2006, where he was photographed alongside Navy Capt. David Newland, the chief of staff of the 7th Fleet, during an elaborate event for officers from the USS Blue Ridge.