SAN DIEGO –  A Navy admiral on Thursday pleaded guilty to lying to federal authorities investigating a $34 million fraud scheme involving a Malaysian contractor known as “Fat Leonard” — becoming the highest-ranking military official to be taken down in the wide-spanning scandal.

It is extremely rare for an admiral to even face criminal proceedings.

Rear Adm. Robert Gilbeau, 55, is believed to be the first active-duty Naval flag officer to be charged in federal court.

At a hearing in San Diego on Thursday, Gilbeau stood before the judge with a small, fluffy white service dog and told the court matter-of-factly that he was guilty as charged. He declined to comment after the hearing.

Prosecutor Mark Pletcher said more will come out at his sentencing hearing Aug. 26 when the evidence will show Gilbeau’s “pervasive attempt to mislead the investigation.”

Pletcher said it will also show how he continued to “deny the nature of his relationship” with Leonard Glenn Francis, who has admitted to bribing Navy officials with more than $500,000 in cash, prostitutes, luxury hotel stays and a staggering amount of others gifts in exchange for classified information to help his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia.

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