Two Navy admirals suspended amid mushrooming bribery, prostitution scandal

Washington Times ^ | 11/10/13 | Kristina Wong -

[Nachum]

The Navy has suspended two admirals in a broadening bribery scandal that already has ensnared three senior naval officials.

Involving charges of prostitution and payoffs, the scandal is the U.S. military’s highest-profile case of officer misconduct this year — part of a trend that has caused deep concern among Pentagon officials. The number of substantiated cases of misconduct has increased steadily since 2008, according to statistics by the Defense Department’s inspector general.

The Navy is investigating Vice Adm. Ted Branch, director of naval intelligence, and Rear Adm. Bruce Loveless, director of intelligence operations, on accusations of “illegal and improper relations” with a defense contractor who scammed the Navy of millions of dollars and bribed naval officials with hookers and gifts over several years.

Neither admiral has been charged with a crime or violation, but the Navy said the accusations against them involve “inappropriate conduct prior to their current assignments and flag officer rank.”

So far, three Navy officials have been arrested and charged with giving classified information to Malaysian defense contractor Leonard Glenn Francis in exchange for concert tickets, prostitutes and other illicit gifts.

[napscoordinator]

These two need to go. They are very versed on contracts and wanted to make a buck. Good riddance to these two. Many good Admirals out there but these two are not.

[Tallguy]

“But, why then hasn’t a single retired general or admiral called a press conference and spoken up?”

Where do retired flag officers go after retirement? Most go to the defense industry — even those who left the service after an unsuccessful assignment. As long as you aren’t “black-balled” by the Pentagon these officers remain an attractive hire. Dispute the story-line that the Pentagon/administration is pushing risks future employment and possibly even your pension.

[DPMD]

Are the gay female replacements ready yet?

[Lion Den Dan]

Sounds like a cash cow for the DNC and the Obama retirement fund.

[gundog]

I knew a guy that got kicked out of the Air Force. He signed his temporary ID “Judas Priest.”