WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Navy announced Tuesday it censured three admirals in connection with a fraud and bribery investigation that has already led to convictions of three other Navy officers.
Rear Admirals Michael Miller, Terry Kraft and David Pimpo were censured by the Secretary of the Navy on Tuesday after an investigation found that they “improperly accepted gifts from a prohibited source” from 2006 to 2007. All three officers have now submitted retirement requests.
The investigation also revealed that two of the officers had “improperly endorsed a commercial business” and one solicited “gifts and services” from an unauthorized source, according to a Navy press release. All are violations of U.S. Navy ethics regulations.
“All Navy officers, particularly our senior leadership in positions of unique trust and responsibility, must uphold and be held to the highest standards of personal and professional behavior,” Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus said in a statement. “These three officers, whose actions were revealed during the GDMA investigation demonstrated poor judgment and a failure of leadership in prior tours.”
The investigation revolves around a corruption case involving several Navy officers and defense contractor Glenn Defense Marine Asia, referred to as GDMA in the investigation.
Three other Navy officers pled guilty to federal charges in the corruption case involving Glenn Defense Marine Asia and its head, Malaysian national Leonard Glenn Francis, also known as ‘Fat Leonard’.
A fourth Navy officer, Commander Michael Vannak Khem Misiewicz has pleaded not guilty to federal charges in the bribery case.
The officers allegedly traded classified information in exchange for luxury travel and and hotel stays as well as prostitution services.
Two other Navy officers were suspended in November 2013 and their access to classified information suspended, also in connection with the Glenn Defense Marine Asia case.
The Navy said its investigation continues and federal prosecutors will likely “refer additional cases to the Navy for review,” according to the release.
