A U.S. Navy commander was sentenced Friday to almost four years in prison for rerouting a warship in exchange for luxury travel, hookers or cash.
Capt. Daniel Dusek, 49, was relieved of his command of USS Bonhomme Richard as part of the investigation into a $34 million bribery scheme run by Singapore-based businessman Leonard Francis, known as "Fat Leonard" to Navy officials
Dusek pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy of bribery and faced a federal judge in downtown San Diego Friday for formal sentencing.
U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino ordered Dusek to spend 46 months in federal prison.
“It’s truly unimaginable to the court that someone in your position with the United States Navy would sell out based on what was provided to you – hotel rooms, entertainment and the services of prostitutes,” the judge told Dusek according to a news release.
Dusek will report to to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons on June 15. The judge recommended a facility in Sheridan, Oregon.
Dusek was also ordered to pay a $70,000 fine and $30,000 in restitution to the Navy.
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"I think the Navy will take steps at this point to administratively separate him from the Navy," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Pletcher.
Dusek served as deputy operations officer aboard USS Blue Ridge from January 2009-February 2011. It was during this time that Dusek provided classified information to Francis and his associates "dozens of times" according to court documents.
Francis bribed naval officers to make sure their ships were docked at Asian ports, where Francis’ companies overcharged the Navy for docking services.
In emails, Francis described Dusek as a "golden asset to drive the big decks [aircraft carriers] into our fat revenue GDMA ports."
Dusek arranged for USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Group to use Port Klang, Malaysia in October 2010. The port is owned by Francis.
In February 2011, federal officials say Dusek was provided an eight-night stay in Manila with alcohol, entertainment and prostitutes.
The value of items received by Dusek as a result of the relationship was estimated to be $10,000.
“We have other people who have pleaded guilty whose sentences are upcoming who took more things of value who were engaged in more pervasive conduct. I don’t know if this will be the longest sentence,” said Pletcher.
Pletcher said resources are committed to the case and the investigation is ongoing.
