Retired US Navy admiral arrested for alleged bribery plot – NBC Chicago

A retired four-star admiral who was once the Navy’s second-highest ranking officer was arrested Friday on charges of helping a company win a government contract for a training program in exchange for a lucrative job with the company.

Robert Burke, who served as deputy chief of naval operations, faces charges in federal court that include bribery and conspiracy. Prosecutors allege he ran a corrupt scheme that led to the company hiring him at a starting annual salary of $500,000 after his retirement in 2022. He directed naval operations in Europe, Russia and most of Africa.

Also charged are Yongchul “Charlie” Kim and Meghan Messenger, both of whom are co-chief executives of the company. The company is not named in court documents, but Kim and Messenger are listed as CEOs on the website of a company called NextJump, which offers training programs.

“The law does not provide an exception for admirals or CEOs. Those who pay and receive bribes must be held accountable,” said Matthew Graves, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. “The urgency is greatest when, as in this case, high-ranking government officials and senior executives are allegedly involved in the corruption.”

Burke, 62, of Coconut Creek, Florida, made his initial appearance in Miami on Friday but did not admit to a confession during the hearing, according to defense attorney Timothy Parlatore. The attorney said Burke will plead not guilty and intends to clear his name in court.

“I think a jury will see through this,” Parlatore said.

Burke retired conditionally from the Navy on July 31, 2022. Senior officers often retire conditionally while awaiting administrative matters.

Rear Admiral Ryan Perry said the Navy Department had cooperated fully with the investigation.

“We take this matter very seriously and will continue to work with the Department of Justice,” Perry said in a statement.

Kim and Messenger’s company ran a pilot workforce training program for a portion of the Navy from August 2018 to July 2019. The Navy ended the pilot program in late 2019 and instructed the company not to have any contact with Burke.

But the two company executives agreed to meet with Burke in Washington, DC, in July 2021. During the meeting, Kim and Messenger suggested that Burke use his position in the Navy to get them a contract in exchange for future employment with the company, the indictment says.

In December 2021, Burke directed his employees to award a $355,000 contract to train personnel under Burke’s command in Italy and Spain, the indictment says. Burke began working at the company in October 2022.

Parlatore noted that the value of this contract is less than Burke’s starting salary.

“There was no connection between this contract and his employment,” Parlatore said. “It’s simply unrealistic that he would give them this relatively small contract for such a job offer.”

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Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.