‘Fat Leonard’ will soon learn his fate. But will he pay for the Navy’s worst corruption scandal?

The U.S. Navy’s “Fat Leonard” bribery scandal cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, resulted in the investigation of hundreds of Navy personnel for potential corruption, led to nearly three dozen criminal convictions and, according to prosecutors, “engulfed a generation of U.S. Navy command staff.”

On Tuesday, the swaggering con man at the center of the Hollywood-esque scandal and largest corruption scheme in the Navy’s history will finally be held accountable. More than 11 years after his arrest...