A Navy supply officer accused of patronizing prostitutes and other misconduct linked to the sprawling “Fat Leonard” scandal will face a military trial in May, a judge said Wednesday.

Lt. Peter Vapor, assigned to Naval Construction Group One in Port Hueneme, California, was back in court Wednesday for an arraignment at Naval Station, Norfolk.

A court date was set for May 14, Navy officials told Navy Times.

Vapor’s case would be the first military trial of a Fat Leonard case.

Dozens of former Navy officials have faced federal prosecution in civilian court on charges linked to the corruption scandal surrounding Leonard “Fat Leonard” Francis, a Malaysian defense contractor who ran the Glenn Defense Marine Asia company in Singapore.

Vapor was charged in September with three specifications of violating a lawful order; three specifications of making false official statements; a single specification of conduct unbecoming an officer and one specification each of patronizing a prostitute, and adultery.

Earlier this month Navy Warrant Officer Brian T. Ware pleaded guilty to charges related to the scandal and was sentenced to six months confinement in a Navy brig and a 10,000 fine.

Vapor is a 27-year, prior enlisted sailor who entered the service initially in 1990. He was commissioned in 2005 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2009.

If convicted of all charges, he could face a maximum sentence of 19 years confinement, dismissal from the Naval service, loss of all pay and allowances, a reprimand, and fines.

Mark D. Faram is a former reporter for Navy Times. He was a senior writer covering personnel, cultural and historical issues. A nine-year active duty Navy veteran, Faram served from 1978 to 1987 as a Navy Diver and photographer.

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