A former commander of the U.S. Naval Forces in Europe and Africa was arrested Friday in connection with an alleged bribery scheme, according to the Justice Department.
Robert Burke, aged 62, is accused of participating in the bribery scheme during his tenure as a four-star admiral from 2020 to 2022. An indictment unsealed Friday alleges that Burke met with the co-CEOs of an unidentified company, Yongchul “Charlie” Kim and Meghan Messenger, in 2021 to re-establish its business relationship with the Navy, despite its contract being terminated in 2019 and the Navy advising the company not to contact the admiral.
During the meeting, the charged defendants allegedly agreed that Burke would use his position as a Navy Admiral to secure a sole-source contract for Company A in exchange for future employment. They further agreed that Burke would use his official position to influence other Navy officers to award another contract to Company A. In 2021, Burke allegedly awarded a $355,000 contract to the company for personnel training in Italy and Spain. The Justice Department claims Burke attempted to conceal the scheme by making false statements to the Navy.
Burke started working at the company in October 2022. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, performing acts affecting a personal financial interest, and concealing material facts from the U.S., with a maximum sentence of 30 years if convicted.
Kim and Messenger were also charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and bribery, each facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the FBI are investigating the case.