Retired US Navy Admiral Arrested on Bribery Charges.
By Caroline Ameh
A retired four-star US Navy Admiral, Adm Robert Burke, has been arrested on allegations of accepting bribes in exchange for awarding a government contract to a company.
Burke, who served as vice-chief of naval operations until 2022, faces up to 30 years in jail if convicted, according to prosecutors on Friday.
During his initial court appearance in Miami, Florida, Adm Burke did not enter a formal plea. Alongside him, two business executives from the company, identified only as Company A, were also arrested and could each face up to 20 years in jail.
US Attorney Matthew M Graves emphasized the seriousness of the charges, stating, “The law does not make exceptions for admirals or CEOs. Those who pay and receive bribes must be held accountable.”
Adm Burke is charged with bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery, performing acts affecting a personal financial interest, and concealing material facts from the US. At the time of his retirement, he was the second-highest ranking officer in the US Navy.
His lawyer stated that Adm Burke intends to plead not guilty during his trial.
The two company executives, Yongchul “Charlie” Kim, and Meghan Messenger, are accused of taking part in a plan to hire Adm Burke after his retirement with a salary of $500,000 and 100,000 stock options, in exchange for the contract award.
Prosecutors allege that Adm Burke awarded a $355,000 contract to the company for Navy personnel training in 2021, despite being ordered not to contact them by naval officials.
The investigation is ongoing, with officers from the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), and the FBI’s Washington Field Office involved.
