Francis was arrested in a San Diego resort practically a decade in the past as a part of a federal sting operation. Investigators say he bilked the US navy out of greater than US$35 million by shopping for off dozens of top-ranking Navy officers with booze, intercourse, lavish events and different presents.
The scandal led to the conviction and sentencing of practically two dozen Navy officers, defence contractors and others on varied fraud and corruption fees.
Investigators say that Francis, who owned and operated his household’s ship-servicing enterprise, abused his place as a key contact for US Navy outlets at ports throughout Asia, wooing naval officers with Kobe beef, costly cigars, live performance tickets and wild intercourse events at luxurious resorts from Thailand to the Philippines.
He pleaded responsible in 2015 and was allowed to remain out of jail at a rental residence on home arrest with a GPS ankle monitor and safety guards.
However weeks earlier than he confronted sentencing in September 2022, Francis made a daring escape as he reduce off his ankle monitor and disappeared. Officers mentioned he fled to Mexico, made his approach to Cuba and finally obtained to Venezuela.
He was arrested a few weeks later earlier than boarding a flight on the Simon Bolivar Worldwide Airport outdoors Caracas. Venezuelan officers mentioned he meant to succeed in Russia.
He had been in custody in Venezuela ever since, and officers mentioned he sought asylum there.
