Retired 4-Star Admiral Arrested and Charged in Bribery Scheme

The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted a retired four-star U.S. Navy admiral for allegedly agreeing to help steer a military contract to a private firm in exchange for a $500,000-a-year job after his retirement from the Navy.

The DOJ arrested retired Admiral Robert Burke, 62, of Coconut Creek, Florida, on Friday, along with business executives Yongchul “Charlie” Kim and Meghan Messenger, on bribery charges.

Admiral Burke served as the vice chief of naval operations and as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa. Federal authorities identified Mr. Kim and Ms. Messenger as co-CEOs of a company known as “Company A,” which provides workforce training.

All three defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and bribery. Burke is also charged with performing acts affecting a personal financial interest and concealing material facts from the United States.

Bribery Allegations

An indictment states that Company A had won a Navy pilot program contract for workforce training. While serving as the vice chief of naval operations, Admiral Burke advocated for this program.

In November 2019, Mr. Kim and Ms. Messenger contacted Admiral Burke to reestablish ties with the Navy. Despite warnings not to contact him, they allegedly reached out again in September 2020, seeking insights on future Navy contracts.

In July 2021, a meeting took place in Washington, D.C., where they proposed a workforce training contract in exchange for a lucrative job offer upon Burke’s retirement.

By December 2021, Burke allegedly directed a Navy civilian to offer a contract to Company A. Prosecutors claim that Burke continued to use his influence to connect Company A with new contracts.

Coverup Allegations

Prosecutors also allege that Burke attempted to cover his tracks by misleading Navy officials about his post-retirement employment plans with Company A. He allegedly sent a memo indicating his retirement plans and falsely communicated with a Navy ethics counselor about his employment intentions.

Despite these allegations, Burke officially began working with Company A as a senior partner in October 2022. As of now, none of the defendants have named legal representatives in the case.