(US Navy/Courtesy The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP)A total of 25 military officers and private-sector executives have now been prosecuted in one of the worst corruption scandals to hit the military in years. At the contractor’s behest, Lt Cdr Shedd passed on "cigars and fine wine" to Mr Loveless and other navy officers involved in the exchange, prosecutors said. The indictment also accuses Mr Loveless of obstructing the bribery investigation by denying knowledge of the scheme. Asked by navy investigators in 2013 whether he had ever received anything of value from Francis, Mr Loveless responded "never," prosecutors said. Francis pleaded guilty in 2015 in San Diego, as have 10 former military officers previously charged in the case.

Source: Bangkok Post March 15, 2017 04:22 UTC