WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — A federal jury on Monday convicted retired four-star Admiral Robert Burke, once the second-highest-ranking officer in the U.S. Navy, on multiple corruption charges for steering a government contract to a private company in exchange for a lucrative post-retirement job.
Burke, 62, was found guilty of bribery, acts affecting a personal financial interest, and concealment of material facts after a five-day trial in Washington, D.C., according to court records. He now holds the distinction of being the most senior U.S. military officer convicted in recent memory for crimes committed while in uniform.
The Department of Justice said Burke used his position to secure a $355,000 contract for a private technology firm, then took a $500,000-a-year job there after his retirement from the Navy in 2022. In addition to the salary, prosecutors said he was offered 100,000 stock options as part of the deal.
According to the Washington Post, Burke attempted to persuade another senior Navy officer to grant the same firm an additional contract — a pitch that ultimately failed. Prosecutors alleged Burke collaborated with the company’s co-CEOs, Yongchul “Charlie” Kim and Meghan Messenger, who are set to go on trial in August.
The trio began communicating in early 2021, even though the Navy had officially severed ties with the company years prior. Burke had initially rejected the firm’s efforts to renew business with the Navy, citing internal policy. However, prosecutors said he later reversed course.
Text messages cited in the indictment show Kim telling Messenger after a call with Burke: “Burke wants to work for us, but we’re asking for a deal first.” Messenger allegedly replied that the situation “felt slimy.” The exchanges occurred via WhatsApp, according to the indictment unsealed in May 2024.
In one instance, prosecutors said Burke directed a subordinate to find funding through U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa to make the contract possible. By July 2021, he had met with Kim, Messenger, and an unnamed associate over lunch in Washington, D.C., to finalize the plan.
Burke formally announced his retirement in August 2021 and joined the company after leaving active duty the following May. Prosecutors argued that Burke deliberately concealed the conflict of interest from Navy leadership while continuing to promote the firm.
U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden is scheduled to sentence Burke on August 22. The Justice Department has not publicly named the company, referring to it only as “Company A,” but court filings confirm the identities of Kim and Messenger as its executives.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro condemned the conduct in a statement Monday: “When you abuse your position and betray the public trust to line your own pockets, it undermines the confidence in the government you represent. Our office…will root out corruption, be it bribes or illegal contracts, hold accountable the perpetrators, no matter what title or rank they hold.”
Burke’s conviction comes amid broader concerns about corruption in the Navy. The service has spent years recovering from the notorious “Fat Leonard” scandal involving defense contractor Leonard Francis. In that case, Francis provided more than $500,000 in bribes, lavish trips, and other perks to Navy officers in exchange for favorable treatment on defense contracts.
Francis, who fled house arrest and was later captured in Venezuela, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in November 2024. His cooperation with prosecutors led to numerous convictions of high-ranking officers.
During his career, Burke served as deputy commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet, commander of Submarine Group 8, and chief of naval personnel. He also served as vice chief of naval operations, making him second-in-command of the entire Navy at the time of his misconduct.
