A retired four-star admiral, Robert Burke, who previously served as the Navy's vice chief of naval operations, was arrested on Friday on federal charges of bribery and conspiracy. Prosecutors allege that Burke engaged in a corrupt scheme to help a company secure a government contract in exchange for a high-paying job after his retirement in 2022.
Also implicated in the case are Yongchul “Charlie” Kim and Meghan Messenger, identified as co-chief executive officers of the company involved. The company, known for providing training programs, is not named in court documents.
U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves emphasized that the law applies to all individuals, regardless of their rank or position, and stressed the importance of holding those involved in bribery schemes accountable.
Burke, who resides in Coconut Creek, Florida, appeared in court but did not enter a plea. His defense attorney stated that Burke intends to plead not guilty and clear his name at trial.
The Department of the Navy has cooperated fully with the investigation, according to Rear Adm. Ryan Perry, who emphasized the seriousness of the matter and the Navy's commitment to working with the Department of Justice.
The indictment alleges that Kim and Messenger's company engaged in a corrupt arrangement with Burke, offering him future employment in exchange for steering a contract his way. Despite the termination of a previous pilot program with the Navy, Burke allegedly directed a $355,000 contract to the company for personnel training in Italy and Spain before joining the firm in October 2022.
Defense counsel for Burke argued that there was no direct correlation between the awarded contract and his subsequent employment, citing the relatively small value of the contract compared to his starting salary at the company.
