SAN DIEGO — A retired Navy admiral was among nine high-ranking military officers indicted and arrested Tuesday across the country in a burgeoning bribery scandal involving a Malaysian defense contractor nicknamed ‘‘Fat Leonard.’’

The indictment unsealed in federal court in San Diego alleged that retired Admiral Bruce Loveless and the other officers accepted the services of prostitutes, lavish meals, and fancy trips from Leonard Francis in exchange for classified information that helped his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia.

It was the latest indictment in the 3-year-old case that has charged more than 20 former or current Navy officials so far and marks one of the Navy’s worst corruption scandals in history.

Prosecutors say Francis, whose nickname comes from his wide girth, bilked the Navy out of nearly $35 million — largely by overcharging for his company’s services supplying Navy ships in the Pacific with food, water, fuel, and other necessities.

Francis obtained classified information by buying off Navy officers who helped him beat out the competition or steer ships to ports in the Pacific where he could charge fake tariffs and fees, prosecutors said.

The new indictment also charged a former Marine colonel. The defendants were arrested in California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, Colorado, and Virginia. None of the defendants or their defense attorneys could be immediately reached for comment.

Associated Press