National Security

WikiLeaks: ‘Fat Leonard’ scandal may have doomed admiral’s shot at chairmanship

By Jacqueline Klimas
Published October 31, 2016 5:16pm ET
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WikiLeaks: ‘Fat Leonard’ scandal may have doomed admiral’s shot at chairmanship
Samuel Locklear was questionable and may have been dropped from the list because of his involvement in the Fat Leonard Navy scandal. (AP Photo) | Bullit Marquez

The former head of U.S. Pacific Command was likely dropped from consideration to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs over his proximity to the Fat Leonard bribery scandal, according to an email from a member of the National Security Council posted by WikiLeaks.

A March 2015 email says that former Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman Adm. James Winnefeld, then-Marine Commandant Gen. Joe Dunford, former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh and U.S. Pacific Commander Adm. Samuel Locklear were on the Oval Office’s short list to serve be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

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Email Hillary Clinton Emails Jacqueline Klimas Joint Chiefs of Staff Minusextra National Security Council Navy WikiLeaks