Friday, November 08, 2013

Michael Vannak Khem Misiewicz, Navy Commander, Accused Of Selling Secrets For Prostitutes, Lady Gaga Tickets


[ Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth. ~Buddha ]

By JULIE WATSON 11/03/13 AP
 
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Nicknamed "Fat Leonard," the gregarious Malaysian businessman is well known by U.S. Navy commanders in the Pacific, where his company has serviced warships for 25 years.

But prosecutors in court papers say Leonard Francis worked his connections to obtain military secrets by lining up hookers, Lady Gaga tickets and other bribes for a U.S. commander, in a scandal reverberating across the Navy.

The accusations unfolding in a federal court case in San Diego signal serious national security breaches and corruption, setting off high-level meetings at the Pentagon with the threat that more people, including those of higher ranks, could be swept up as the investigation continues. A hearing Nov. 8 could set a trial date.

Navy commander Michael Vannak Khem Misiewicz passed confidential information on ship routes to Francis' Singapore-based company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia Ltd., or GDMA, according to the court documents.


Misiewicz and Francis moved Navy vessels like chess pieces, diverting aircraft carriers, destroyers and other ships to Asian ports with lax oversight where Francis could inflate costs, according to the criminal complaint. The firm overcharged the Navy millions for fuel, food and other services it provided, and invented tariffs by using phony port authorities, the prosecution alleges.

"It's pretty big when you have one person who can dictate where ships are going to go and being influenced by a contractor," said retired Rear Adm. Terry McKnight, who has no direct knowledge of the investigation. "A lot of people are saying how could this happen?"

So far, authorities have arrested Misiewicz; Francis; his company's general manager of global government contracts, Alex Wisidagama; and a senior Navy investigator, John Beliveau II. Beliveau is accused of keeping Francis abreast of the probe and advising him on how to respond in exchange for luxury trips, prostitution services, etc. All have pleaded not guilty. Defense attorneys declined to comment.

Senior Navy officials said they believe that more people would likely be implicated in the scheme, but it's too early to tell how many or how high this will go in the naval ranks. Other unnamed Navy personnel are mentioned in court documents as getting gifts from Francis.

Francis is legendary in military circles in that part of the world, said McKnight, who does not know him personally. He is known for extravagance. His 70,000-foot bungalow in an upscale Singapore neighborhood drew spectators yearly since 2007 to its lavish, outdoor Christmas decorations, which The Straits Times described as rivaling the island city-state's main shopping street with replicas of snowmen, lighted towering trees, and Chinese and Japanese ornaments.

"He's a larger-than-life figure," McKnight said. "You talk to any captain on any ship that has sailed in the Pacific and they will know exactly who he is."

Navy spokesman, Rear Adm. John Kirby said Navy Criminal Investigative Service agents initiated their probe in 2010, but declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation.

That same year, Misiewicz caught the world's attention when he made an emotional return as a U.S. Naval commander to his native Cambodia, where he had been rescued as a child from the violence of the Khmer Rouge and adopted by an American woman. His homecoming was widely covered by international media.

Meanwhile, Francis was recruiting him for his scheme, according to court documents.

Misiewicz's family went to a Lion King production in Tokyo with a company employee and was offered prostitution services. Within months, the Navy commander was providing Francis ship movement schedules for the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group and other ships, according to the criminal complaint.

Shortly after that, the manager wrote to Francis: "We got him!!:)," according to court documents.

Misiewicz would refer to Francis as "Big Brother" or "Big Bro" in emails from a personal account, while Francis would call him "Little Brother" or "Little Bro," according to the complaint.

The company bilked the Navy out of $10 million in just one year in Thailand alone, U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy said.

In December 2011, the two exchanged emails about the schedule of the USS Blue Ridge, investigators say. According to court documents, Francis wrote Misiewicz: "Bro, Slide a Bali visit in after Jakarta, and Dili Timor after Bali."

The complaint alleges Misiewicz followed through on the demands: In October 2012, the USS George Washington was scheduled to visit Singapore and instead was redirected by the Navy to Port Klang, Malaysia, one of Francis' preferred ports where his company submitted fake contractor bids.

After Francis offered Misiewicz five tickets to a Lady Gaga concert in Thailand in 2012, Francis wrote: "Don't chicken out bro we need u with us on the front lines," according to court documents.

The federal government has suspended its contracts with Francis.

The defendants face up to five years in prison if convicted of conspiracy to commit bribery.

_____

Associated Press writers Lolita C. Baldor in Washington and Satish Cheney in Singapore contributed to this report.

68 comments:

Anonymous said...

military law, it can be strict. even s little wrong will not be tolerated. cambodia the country should learn from this lesson! there is no human rights salvation in the military. so all you human rights advocates out there, know the difference and stop abusing cambodia about human rights this or that all the time. sometimes, it's just your accuses to attack my country cambodia. not right!

Anonymous said...

this case is not unique to this officer, there's a third case i read some commander in tampa, fl, usa who got in trouble the same way. so, not just mr. misiewicz!

Anonymous said...

This Khmer scumbags cheap low life should be sent to life in prison without parole.

This cheap low life Khmer descendant deserved to be cursed and look down by all Khmer nationality in any way they can curse.... stupid you!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Larger than life stupid's foe,you deserve to be hung on the street pole! You've for gotten your root,thatwise your fortune didn't go that far!....25 yrs services trading for HOOKERS?!? Selling secrets for flamboyant life style?!? Unbelievable!!!What were you thinking Vannak? What's kind of drugs did you inject to your brain? Was it worth it? Lady gaga tickets? Hookers? Selling your soul for impermanent materials shit? What a stupid foe you were!..Prosecute this sucker to the fullest extended by the law allow...25yrs for impermanent uncleaned's pussies from Hookers?!!!? What can I say!?

Kmenhwatt

Anonymous said...

Well,Vannak!
Welcome to hall of shame,Vannak! You're among the elite group of your predecessors before you,some one like ;CheychethaII ,Sdach Se'hanuk,Hun sen among many others that loved pussies betrayed your own conscience as a man! Was it worth it!?

Anonymous said...

It seems like there is a conspiracy. How come these two officers are targeted? They both are from Cambodia. Something is fishy going on. They were studied on their vulnerability and set up. This will give negative light about Cambodia around the world. Why all of a sudden two Cambodian officers are arrested? Probably, the time is right to make this kind of move.

Anonymous said...

Self neglect and carelessness acted of Mr.Khem while working for 25 years serviced? You're a golden human, and lot of eyes are on you. You shouldn't be fooled w/ prostitutes and bribery and other conspiracies acted...and now is on the hand of day of Judgment..

Anonymous said...

I DO NOT Believe and Never Will. Something Fishy happened inside none of us can know. It could be a high intelligent?? we will never know.
But I Do Not believe these Americans of Cambodian ancestry were Spies.

500riel toilet said...

His punishment should be>>> Watching Hun Sen talk bark on CTN for the rest of his life and beyond.

And also, must have sex with bun rany every 15 min for the rest of his life.

He shame all khmer service men, women in the US arm forces....

Anonymous said...

5:06 AM
I agree with you 100%

I no longer believe in anything outsiders said about our people anymore. Those scumbags of this earth are already to turn innocents into criminals and criminals to innocents. They are very good at lying, deceiving, and manipulation. They have done this for thousand of years, e.g framing and defaming, why? because they don't want to us grow but to fall apart.

Khmers have been known in trusting others and then, got stabbed or be bullied by others, simply because we are too kind and gentle. This curse will continue probably until the end of time. Well, if you think about his case clearly, why is it only khmers? and secondly, why did they nominate them two to be the US submarine commanders? what is their motive? are they being used and then, abused.

In this case, only god knows and I don't believe in them crooks at all. They are the main perpetrators who gotten away from all crimes committed against humanity across the globe such CIA or KGB or world war I and II funded by the catholic/zionists/freemasion etc...their planned to destroy other races or made them into slaves like e,g the only country that allowed to reprint their money whenever they like, while others can't accept through the value of commodity etc.

Every nation got robbed and still, no one can do or say anything about. Until the middle east decided to use gold instead of their dollars and as a result of this, been destroyed by them crooks, in the name of terrorism etc. How many lives have to be killed in the name of democracy (mainpulation). The truth is every time I see our people being victimised, I knew straight away that, it is not a lone case. Their evil tactics and tricks are endless.

Nevertheless, there are hope and light at the end of the tunnel because this earth is not meant to last forever anyway. My heart goes to our khmer heroes, who have been used and abused. Until then, may your heart be at peace with god, with all your heart, mind, body and soul. In the end, the truth will always be the truth and the truth shall set us free.

Anonymous said...


Jendha likes to post and repost about this guy’s downfall.
Who is he to you, Jendha, your ex-date?

Jendhamuni said...


Dear 5:36 AM

In journalism, it called 'Hot news'

Jendhamuni said...


Dear 5:36 AM,

Oh, are you having a fever right now? Afraid his conviction will hurt your boss?

Anonymous said...


Why is it 'Hot news' to you only?
But it is not to the other KI members?
It smells fishy, don’t you think?
Who is whose boss, are you talking about?

Anonymous said...

5:40 AM
Jendha

Don't worry about those paranoided people. You what you have to. Because you are an expert and they are not. So, don't worry about them crooks too much. Just let go. Some people are so low and they only they know is attacking the messager, why? because they are uneducated and they are simply crooks kind of people.

Secondly, please remember this, no matter how good you are, they will always find ways to pull/put you down, but but be alarm by it, it is just to show that, they are very uncomfortable within their own skin as well. So, cheers and keep going.

Anonymous said...

Correction; the only thing they know is attacking the messager instead of the real perpetrators.

Anonymous said...

Correction II; but don't be alarm by it,

Anonymous said...

5:36,
Journalist does not discriminate. They see and they report.
You should thank her for posting this news for your dumb ass to read.
The truth hurt, doesn't it?
Thanks for your work...Jendhamuni. Most of us here are very appreciative of what you do.
Keep on posting!

Anonymous said...

if you ask for my opinions here, i think this case has nothing to do with cambodia itself, beside the fact that the officers are of cambodian decent. bribery scandal cases like this is not unique to these individuals of khmer ethnicity. if you google internet, you'll see a bunch of bribery scandals in the military like this being court martialed by their superiors or their bosses. so, i wouldn't think of it as a big deal to attack khmer or politicize it that much. perhaps opposition news agency just wanted to take this opportunity to politicize these two cases since the officers are of khmer decent. that's all, nothing more than that!

Anonymous said...

the oppositon and human rights advocators always attack cambodia when the khmer law punishes those who disobey the law. now we can see that not cases required human rights intervention because they break other law that governs their work place, it has nothing to do with human rights violation or what have you like the oppositon and their human rights supporters always like to think it is the case in cambodia. this case is a prime example that it's not!

Anonymous said...

i think post this story once is enough already, why continue to post the same story again and again. who's her boss? they should educate her to stop posting the same story again and again. once is enough already! people get it already. just my suggestion, so to show ki's professionalism.

Anonymous said...

6:14 AM


“The truth hurt, doesn't it?”

Who is hurt?

Some people just don’t like to read the same old news over and over that is all.
A good journalist does not respond to the readers’ disagreement the way Jendha does.


Anonymous said...

5:36 AM,

You must be one of the CRIMINAL CPP kid who's so ignorrant with fake PHD right?

Anonymous said...

take it as a constructive criticism for personal and professional growth, nothing more. most readers who came to ki blog like this one do so because we like to, and of course, we appreciate all works by ki team members. don't take it wrong. take it constructive only is wiser. thank you.

Anonymous said...


6:50 AM

Wrong, I am your grandpa, Dumb ass!

Anonymous said...

12:11 AM,

You must be one of the CRIMINAL CPP kid, are you? Who want to waste money for no reason, do you do that? Use your brain next time before you start to write your ignorrant sentence.

Anonymous said...

you're in control here, however, you have to take feedback from your readers, too, you can lose customers if you do not accept feedback and suggestions, etc. that's all! keep it business, not personal!

Anonymous said...

6:54 AM,

No wonder your brain was soooo..fuck-up because you're so fucking old, DUMB SHIT HEAD!

Anonymous said...

CNN posted his arrest of Cmdr Michael Vannak in mid of October. It took three weeks for the news to reach KI.

Anonymous said...


6:59 AM

Ok, little spoiled brat!

Anonymous said...

6:59 AM

Stop wasting your time, spoiled monkey!

Anonymous said...

7:02 AM,

Stop wasting your time, spoiled monkey!

Anonymous said...


If you compare this guy with Hun Sen, the latter is a hundred times worse than him, but Hun Sen is still the Prime Minister of Cambodia.

Anonymous said...

7:09 AM

Ok, Mr. BIG MONKEY!

Anonymous said...

it sends a loud message that if you are in a job like this officer, you must do all to steer clear of any type of bribery scandal, if you want o avoid trouble. it boils down to how personally disciplined you are, too, i believe! and this goes both countries, the cambodia or america, don't matter. the law will get you sooner or later, yes, even cambodian law, too will get you if you caught you red-handedly! so cry to your human rights all you want, it's called irrelevant in cases like this. just a thought!

Anonymous said...

7:15am, don't hate hun sen so much because he's beautiful!

Anonymous said...

7:18 AM

Bravo, you can tell that to Chhouk Bandith, Hun Sen and many other CPP's clowns.

Anonymous said...

if they politicize everything all the time, how effective the cnrp if they ever get elected in office? so far, they haven't shown people their capability, how can they expect cambodia and its people from all walks of life to trust and believe what they promised them? they have to show it first if they want them to buy into their promise, etc! in other words, put their action where their mouth is, first.

Anonymous said...

7:01,
.......and you are here to proof read it so that your reading comprehension is now clearer than three weeks ago? Get lost troll! The only solution now is to delete KI from your favorite list. Now go get your news source from Bayon.
You ungreatful pos!

Anonymous said...

Yep action just like Decho Hun Sen - forests gone, Koh Tral gone, Eastern border the VN can put the markers any where they wish, the illegal settlers can come can settle where they want and Hun Sen not even dare to mention a word about Vietnamese....that is what we call action....

Anonymous said...

7:18, where do get this human right crap from. I've read the post and there's nothing mentioned about human right. You're running your mouth again aren't you?

Anonymous said...

if you want to understand how effective they are, just look at how they interact with each other on the blog. so much antagonistic with each other. and some people complain about the gov't? what they complaining about if the same people are running the gov't running the media like this? some can't event take constructive criticism and have to counter attack someone and vice versa? what i don't understand is why some people can't take criticism as if, ehy they have to get even all the time? and they blame the other party? what's wrong with that picture?

Anonymous said...

CNN posted his arrest of Cmdr Michael Vannak in mid of October. It took three weeks for the news to reach KI.

7:01 AM

Why? Cambodia World Cup still in progress final score CPP 3 vs. CNRP 2.

Anonymous said...

7:58am, my dear, i'm saying a lot of time, i come across something someone always complaining about human rights violation in cambodia as an excuse to fight and attack cambodia and its gov't when 99% of the time, it's not even the human rights violation as alleged. this case is an example to show that not all punishment or reprimand is a case of human rights violation, especially if they violated the law. i think the same could be said about the complaint of human rights violation in cambodia when it is a case of someone is violating the law and get penalized for it.

and also do not ignore the local culture, too, when investigation the allegation of human rights violation, etc because not all cases are strictly human rights violation. it is a habit for people in cambodia to politicize it as human rights violation when it is not. maybe you don't get it. although this case may be irrelevant to any allegation of human rights violation, but it does illustrate an example that not every case is a human rights violation, even if someone called it is. so, investigate human rights violation thoroughly case by case and not just publicize it on the media just to give my country cambodia a bad name because your freedom allowed you to, that's not right! that's all!

Anonymous said...

whether it's a top gov't job or a top military post, with it comes big responsibility. i know, it may be a foreign concept to some khmer people in top jobs, but we have to be aware and understand right from wrong. most khmer seemed not to grasp the difference between right from wrong, i guess.

Anonymous said...

If so, this guy must be a Hun Sen's cronies because his attitude is the same as Hun Sen's, Chheang Vun's, and Cheam Yeap's attitude.

Anonymous said...

i'm sure all parties involved are punished by the full extent of the law allowed. they don't target just anyone, just the wrong-doers only. that's called justice!

Anonymous said...

This is simply all f*cked up big time. The Cambodians rarely ever have their kind being represented in higher places, but now this Vannak dude had to f*ck it all up for the rest of us good guys. This vannak dude is sent to heaven but instead he chooses hell. What an immoral incompetent loser he really is.

Anonymous said...

8:24,
My apology! But I was right about you running your mouth though.

Anonymous said...

9:17am, it's quite alright! you're very professional, i like that!

Anonymous said...

Thanks!
You sound like my lady Theary Seng my dear,good heart and compassion to others,also ambition to change for the right reasons and a believer as well.Lets justice do her will,she will prevail in the court of law,lets not be harshed to our Khmer's heroes.May god bless you Theary,remember your persistant will win resistant,keep on trying,success won't come without failure.

LoveU.

Anonymous said...

Seed of evil shut up, will you!? Ah kro'bey Mice!...@8:24am.If you can't stand the heat,get out of the kitchen,ah Mouse!....

Prahok

Anonymous said...

Lock this betraying spy rot mother fucker Khmer descendant for life!

I hate Betrayal of Conscience!!

Anonymous said...

This Khmer scumbags cheap low life should be sent to life in prison without parole.

This cheap low life Khmer descendant deserved to be cursed and look down by all Khmer nationality in any way they can curse.... stupid you!

Anonymous said...

Got to love khmer race, they never agree on anythinbg.♥♥♥♥♥

Anonymous said...

This is very good lessons for Khmer race to learn,don t be the waste and useless ,while you climbed to top do not slide it off,it is disgrace but thanks for the poster for hang on for the god article.
Cheer

Anonymous said...

Court martial that motherfucker and send him to jail for the rest of his life.Your lowlife asshole.

Anonymous said...

Have any of you heard about bursted student visa fraud in vietnam lately? It's multi-million dollars business which put American national security at risk. This corruption involved USA consolate officer, Michael Sestak, bribed institutions in US, and number of co-conspirators. These crooked were arrested and being put in jail.

Don't you think there are corrupted US officials serving in Phnom Penh consulate (taking bribe for student visa fraud)? Most likely....i heard it costs around $30000 per person.

Anonymous said...

កប់ពពក ជ្រកអាចន៍ជន្លេន!

Anonymous said...

6:39 p.m,

If you know of any American officials who are involved in corruption please send email or telephone the U.S. State Department hot line (or simply let me the name and the rank) so I can take action). American government is so strict about combatting corruption and I am sure they will investigate and take action. But I bet most the $30,000 you are talking are pocketed by Khmer workers there. It is Khmer tradition, anywhere we go we teach other people how to corrupt.

Anonymous said...

Shit!!!! My classmate came here on student visa but disappear after first two weeks. I wonder what happened?

Anonymous said...

Lately, i heard about cambodians going/enter to US on student visa left and right...wonder if it's visa fraud. Will they deport back if found out?

Anonymous said...

The picture of completely innocent young boy and the picture of allegedly criminal wrong doing the same person.
May Lord Buddha has mercy on poor soul and scattered spirit.

Anonymous said...

Why there is nobody mention about education.

I use to read in this blog that if you have a high education you don't do bad thing.

Why nobody link criminal act to education now !!!!!

Anonymous said...

3:45am, say that to other asian students. why pick on khmer?

Anonymous said...

When the Navy done with Michael Vannak Khem Misiewicz and he will be homeless! No companies and businesses will take him!

Go kill yourself to stop the suffering and the shame that you brought upon your family and yourself!

Anonymous said...

This Khmer scumbags cheap low life should be sent to life in prison without parole.

This cheap low life Khmer descendant deserved to be cursed and look down by all Khmer nationality in any way they can curse.... stupid you!

Anonymous said...





by Anonymous Poet


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******