US Navy official to change plea in massive bribery case involving prostitutes, cash

SAN DIEGO – A change-of-plea hearing is scheduled for a U.S. Navy official charged in a massive bribery scheme in Asia.

Jose Luis Sanchez has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. A calendar in San Diego federal court says Sanchez will change that plea Tuesday but offers no details.

Sanchez is accused of accepting bribes including prostitutes and travel for steering Navy ships to Leonard Glenn Francis, chief executive of a Singapore-based company that provided services to vessels at ports. Francis has pleaded not guilty.

Sanchez, a Navy commander, held key positions in Singapore and Japan before he was reassigned to Tampa, Florida, in 2013. His attorney, Joseph Casas, didn't immediately respond to a phone message.