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Southern Command nominee defends Navy record

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Navy admiral nominated to lead U.S. Southern Command defended attending a dinner party in Hong Kong sponsored by a defense contractor who later pleaded guilty to bribery and defrauding the U.S. military.

Vice Adm. Craig Faller told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday that he accepted the free meal only after the invitation was reviewed and approved by a Navy ethics counselor, whom he said also attended.

Faller, who has been Defense Secretary Jim Mattis’ senior military assistant, said nothing inappropriate happened and that the Navy cleared him of any wrongdoing.

The Washington Post reported on Monday that Faller had been under investigation for more than three years in connection with the 2004 dinner, which was one of many sponsored by Leonard Glenn Francis. The Post said the Justice Department decided not to prosecute Faller but passed the case to the Navy, which in March cleared Faller of wrongdoing.

Faller’s confirmation hearing did not dwell on the Francis issue; the session was dominated by senators’ questions about combatting drug trafficking and other regional issues including the instability in Venezuela

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