KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 24): The scandal involving Malaysian businessman Leonard Glenn Francis — known as "Fat Leonard" — which rocked the US Navy, has inspired an opera.
Recent reports among American entertainment and lifestyle media said that titled Schemes and Scandals of Fat Leonard, the opera aims to shed light on the untold stories of women affected by the scandal, with its first aria, the Handbag Aria, focusing on Marcy Misiewicz, the ex-wife of former Navy officer Michael Misiewicz.
While the scandal itself may seem like an unusual source of inspiration for an opera, the creators believe it possesses all the elements of a classic tragedy.
From larger-than-life characters to overblown emotions and dramatic falls from grace, the Fat Leonard saga encompasses the themes that make opera resonate with audiences.
The story on the worst public corruption scandal in the US Navy history, that the military contractor was on the lam, broke during the summer of 2022.
He had cut off his GPS ankle monitor and fled from house arrest in his San Diego mansion.
He was detained later in Venezuela, where he faced extradition proceedings. He had been cooperating with US investigators before fleeing the country.
Prosecutors said that in exchange for contracts, Francis gave Navy officers cash, gourmet food, expensive cigars, rare cognac and hotel sex parties.
In 2015, Leonard pleaded guilty to bribing Navy officials through his Singapore-based company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia, which serviced ships in the Navy's Pacific Fleet.
In September this year, four former US Navy officers charged in a massive bribery scandal linked to Leonard were cleared of felony charges by a judge citing prosecutor misconduct.
US district judge Janis Sammartino said in a sentencing hearing that prosecutors' conduct "can only be described as outrageous", the San Diego Union-Tribune reported from the courthouse.
After the felony charges were cleared, the four former officers each pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor with only a US$100 (RM468) fine as punishment, court documents showed.
Composer Tommy Dougherty was quoted in reports that the the scale of the scandal was huge and unprecedented, adding that that's what prompted him to write a song about it.
"The piece is centered around a Navy wife. She is scorned; her husband has betrayed her in so many countless ways," he said.
The show will be performed by members of the San Diego Symphony.