A jury on Monday convicted a retired four-star admiral who served because the U.S. Navy’s second-highest-ranking officer on corruption expenses for steering contracts to an organization in alternate for a profitable job.
Robert Burke ordered employees to award a $355,000 contract to an organization, after which started working there at a $500,000-a-year job after his 2022 retirement from the Navy, the Division of Justice mentioned.
He additionally unsuccessfully tried to persuade a high officer to offer the agency a separate contract.
A jury discovered him responsible of offenses together with bribery, performing acts affecting a private monetary curiosity, and concealment of fabric info, courtroom information present. A grand jury in Washington, D.C., indicted Burke in Might 2024.
Sentencing is about for August, the identical month that two co-CEOs of know-how companies agency Subsequent Leap are to go on trial in a associated case, the Washington Put up reported.
DVIDS, Allied Joint Drive Command Naples
Monday’s verdict makes Burke essentially the most senior officer to be convicted lately for crimes dedicated whereas serving within the U.S. navy.
Within the Navy, Burke served as deputy commander of the US sixth Fleet, commander of Submarine Group 8, and chief of naval personnel — a place he held concurrently when he was vice chief of naval operations, the service’s second-highest place.
Prosecutors mentioned Burke allegedly secured a authorities contract for his codefendants Yongchul “Charlie” Kim and Meghan Messenger in alternate for a future job.
Investigators alleged Burke, Kim and Messenger started speaking a few new contract for the “perks at work” firm in 2021, years after the Navy formally reduce ties with the company. In response to courtroom paperwork, they entered into discussions after Burke and his workplace had rebuffed the corporate’s preliminary overtures, citing U.S. Navy coverage.
In April 2021, prosecutors mentioned the trio spoke by way of WhatsApp. “Burke needs to work for us, however we’re asking for a deal first,” Kim allegedly mentioned after the decision, including that Messenger “felt slimy,” the indictment revealed.
Weeks later, in response to charging paperwork, Burke requested an unnamed particular person to search out funding to safe the corporate a contract from U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa. And in July, he allegedly met with Kim, Messenger, and one other unnamed particular person for lunch in Washington, D.C, throughout which era they mentioned the admiral making certain the corporate obtained its federal contract.
“In alternate [they] provided Burke a job at Firm A – at a wage of no less than $500,000 per yr and a grant of 100,000 inventory choices…to begin after Burke retired from the Navy,” prosecutors wrote.
In response to federal prosecutors, in August of 2021, the admiral gave discover that he meant to retire in Might 2022.
Prosecutors additionally charged Burke with allegedly concealing his conduct from Navy officers whereas selling the corporate’s work to others.
“If you abuse your place and betray the general public belief to line your personal pockets, it undermines the boldness within the authorities you characterize,” U.S. Legal professional Jeanine Pirro mentioned in a assertion Monday after Burke’s conviction. “Our workplace, with our regulation enforcement companions, will root out corruption – be it bribes or unlawful contracts – and maintain accountable the perpetrators, it doesn’t matter what title or rank they maintain.”
The Navy has confronted different corruption issues lately, with essentially the most infamous scandal involving Leonard Francis — referred to as “Fats Leonard” — who handed out greater than $500,000 in money bribes and offered prostitutes, first-class journey, luxurious lodge stays and lavish meals to naval officers.
Francis was sentenced to fifteen years in jail in November 2024, after fleeing home arrest and touring to Venezuela earlier than being returned in a prisoner swap the earlier yr.
As a part of a plea settlement, Francis offered authorities investigators with detailed info that led to the conviction of numerous high-ranking U.S. Navy officers.
contributed to this report.
