Retired Admiral Robert Burke, a former vice chief of naval operations, was arrested on Friday for allegedly steering government contracts toward a company in exchange for a lucrative job offer while commanding U.S. naval forces in Europe and Africa. The Justice Department has charged Burke, along with the company’s co-CEOs Yongchul “Charlie” Kim and Meghan Messenger, with bribery and conspiracy. Burke also faces charges of performing acts affecting a personal financial interest and concealing material facts from the United States.
According to the indictment, the alleged crimes occurred from 2020 to 2022, during Burke’s tenure as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa. The indictment details a scheme where Burke purportedly met with Kim and Messenger to secure a sole-source contract for their company, referred to as “Company A,” in exchange for a future high-paying job. This meeting, allegedly aimed at re-establishing the company’s ties with the Navy, took place despite the company’s contract being terminated in 2019 and direct instructions from the Navy not to contact Burke.
Burke, who began working for Company A in October 2022 with an annual salary of $500,000, is accused of using his official position to influence other Navy officers to award contracts to the company. One such contract, worth $355,000, was awarded in 2021 for training Navy personnel in Italy and Spain. Prosecutors allege Burke attempted to conceal his involvement by making false statements to the Navy, implying that his employment discussions with Company A started only after the contract was awarded.
If convicted, Burke faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, while Kim and Messenger each face up to 20 years. Burke’s attorney, Timothy Parlatore, has stated that Burke vigorously contests the charges and expects to be found not guilty. Attorneys for Kim and Messenger could not be reached for comment.
The case is being investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the FBI. Rear Admiral Ryan Perry emphasized the Navy’s cooperation with the investigation, stating that the charges are taken very seriously.
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