FREE
The Review
November 12, 2013 U.S. Navy
Officer’s tale takes ugly turn
career opportunities at sauk
Lanark High grad at center of Navy bribery scandal BY PAM EGGEMEIER
A former Lanark resident who escaped the Cambodian Killing Fields and went on to U.S. Navy b e c o m e a Commander Michael respected U . S . N a v y Vannak Khem o f f i c e r Misiewicz has been charged in a high-profile bribery scheme that involved allegations of kickbacks that included prostitutes and luxury travel. U.S. Navy Commander Michael Vannak Khem Misiewicz, 46, was arrested in Colorado Sept. 16, along with John Bertrand Beliveau II, 44, a special agent for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The men were charged in separate incidents with taking bribes from Leonard Glenn Francis, CEO of Singapore-based Glenn Defense Marine Asia, a multinational defense contractor, according to a news release from the U.S. Justice Department. Francis also was arrested Sept. 16. The criminal complaints say that Francis gave Misiewicz expensive trips, prostitute services, and even Lady Gaga concert tickets in exchange for confidential information and assistance in helping him procure hundreds of millions of dollars in Navy contracts. Beliveau is charged in a separate bribery case involving Francis in which he received similar
Great Gift Ideas! Remote Starts, Car Audio TVs, Surround Sound Gift Certificates Audio Video Connection Downtown Dixon 815-285-4900
perks for giving the Glenn Defense CEO information about an NCIS fraud investigation into his business with the Navy. Glenn Defense provides a variety of services to the Navy, including coordinating, scheduling and procuring goods and services needed by ships and submarines when they arrive at port. The U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges that Misiewicz used his position as deputy operations officer of the U.S. Seventh Fleet to arrange for Navy ships to visit ports where Glenn Defense provided services. Glenn Defense bilked the Navy out of $10 million in just one year in Thailand alone, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Misiewicz was at the center of several feel-good stories reported at various times by many media outlets. Born in Cambodia, he was adopted in 1973 by a Freeport woman, Maryna Misiewicz, who was then serving in the Army in Phnom Penh. Misiewicz brought him to the United States, just before the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia. Maryna Misiewicz retired from the Army in 1976, and has a long history of working with and volunteering in many Stephenson County-area veterans programs. In 2010, Misiewicz also made news in an emotional reunion with family members while his ship was on Navy business in Cambodia. Misiewicz graduated from Lanark High School in 1986. In addition to being a good student, Misiewicz was a member of
the conference champion Lanark varsity football team that went 9-0 and made it to the semifinals of the state playoffs before losing to Carthage High School. After graduation, Misiewicz enlisted in the Navy. He received a bachelor of arts degree in marine engineering and a master’s in space systems. He eventually worked at the Pentagon for the head of naval operations. He married Marcy Rahn, also a Lanark High graduate. They have three children, and the family was based in suburban Washington. Misiewicz came back to Lanark this year to give a Memorial Day address at the high school. According to a story in The (Freeport) JournalStandard, Maryna Misiewicz threw a party in Freeport, on Aug. 10, 2008, to celebrate her son’s new assignment as captain of the Navy Destroyer USS Kidd. On that day, his proud mother was quoted as saying: “I am so excited. I knew he was a smart child, and that he would do well in the Navy, but I had no idea he would ever command a ship. I am just really proud of what he has accomplished. He’s just become a wonderful man.” Misiewicz, Beliveau and Francis are officially charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, which carries a maximum prison term of 5 years. Misiewicz will face charges in federal court.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Liam VanDeraa, 17, a student at Bureau Valley High School, and her mom, Suzanne, speak with Robert Herling of the Art Institutes. The two were visiting schools Tuesday evening as part of Sauk Valley Community College’s annual College Night. Story on Page 2
Craft and Vendor Show Saturday, Nov. 16th 10am - 2pm Vendors Needed Call 815-564-9369 Rock Falls Community Building
CASINO TRIPS
2 times a week to Jumers & Rhythm City/Isle of Capri Pick up in Dixon and Rock Falls Call 1-866-868-5825
WINDST R LINES
Hospice of the Rock River Valley
Festival Festival of Trees Trees November 19-24, 2013
Woodlawn Arts Academy
Saturday, Nov. 16
5:30 p.m.: Gala Evening & Auctions at The Brandywine, Dixon. Presented by US Bank.
2014 Master Gardener traininG
Sunday, Nov. 17
Noon-5 p.m.: Visit the opening day of The Country Store at Woodlawn Arts Academy. Sponsored by Sterling Federal Bank with supplemental funding provided by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Noon-7 p.m.: “Let the Magic Begin”. Watch area decorators create their holiday designs in our Winter Wonderland sponsored by Arthur’s Garden Deli and the CGH Caring Fund.
web.extension.illinois.edu/clw
815-835-2070
• Full Service Optical Lab • Contact Lenses
3807 Woodlawn Rd.,
Sterling, IL.
Monday, Nov. 18
(including bifocal bifocal & specialty lenses)
• Compr Comprehensiv Comprehensive ehensive Ey Eyee Health Exams • Diagnosis/T Diagnosis/Tre Diagnosis/Treatment reatment of Eye Eye Diseases • Great Selection of Eyeglass Frames
Northwest Eyecare • 815.732.3121
314 W.Washington St. • Oregon, IL www.northwesteycare.com
8 a.m.-7 p.m.: Woodlawn is open for set-up. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.: Country Store Open
Tuesday, Nov. 19
6:45 a.m.: Sterling Kiwanis Breakfast 10 a.m-8 p.m.: The Festival officially opens. Bid on your favorite items or buy some décor just in time for the holidays. Noon: Sterling Noon Rotary Luncheon 6 p.m.: Kosier Dance Studio Performance 7 p.m.: Kosier Dance Studio Performance
Wednesday, Nov. 20
All-Safe Storage Center’s
Outdoor Parking Area Providing safety and security at an affordable price!
• Perfect for winter storage for your boat, trailer, camper, or other vehicles! • Storage areas fully enclosed by a 9-foot security fence • 24-hour-a-day security camera monitoring/recording system Call Today • Access through main gate by security code only • All-night security lighting to Reserve
Your Space!
10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Festival Open 10 a.m-7 p.m.: Country Store Open 7-9 p.m.: Holiday Design & Desserts Show with Jim Behrens at Woodlawn Arts Academy. Tickets are $20. Limited space available. Tickets available at HRRV, Behren’s Blumen Stuff in Rock Falls, and the Dixon and Sauk Valley Chamber of Commerce offices. Come early and shop the Country Store and view the beautifully decorated items on display throughout Woodlawn Arts Academy.
Thursday, Nov. 21
10 a.m.-8 p.m.: Festival and Country Store Open 5 p.m.: Woodlawn Dance Academy Performance 6 p.m.: String-A-Longs Musical Performance
Friday, Nov. 22
10 a.m.-8 p.m.: Festival and Country Store Open 5:30 p.m.: Woodlawn Dance Performance 6:30 p.m.: Woodlawn Dance Performance 7:30 p.m.: Woodlawn Show Choir Performance
Saturday, Nov. 23
10 a.m.-8 p.m.: Festival and Country Store Open 5:30 p.m.: Woodlawn Dance Performance 6:30 p.m.: Woodlawn Arts Performance 7:30 p.m.: Woodlawn Arts Performance
Sunday, Nov. 24
All-Safe Storage Center www.allsafecenter.com
690 Timber Creek Rd., (off of Lowell Park Rd.) Dixon • 815-285-2212 Business Office Open M-F 8:30 to 6 and Sat 8:30 to noon
Noon-3 p.m.: Festival and Country Store Open 2 p.m.: Table Settings & Silent Auction Items End 2:30 p.m.: Friendship Trees Auction Ends 2:30 p.m.: Raffle Drawing 3 p.m.: Large Tree Auction Ends & Festival Closes *Schedule subject to change Festival of Trees Presenting Sponsor