Admiral Robert P. Burke, a retired four-star U.S. Navy officer from Coconut Creek, Florida, was sentenced to six years in federal prison after being convicted of accepting future employment at a government contractor in exchange for steering a Navy contract to the company. The sentencing took place in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., and was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Burke, 62, was found guilty on May 19 by a federal jury of conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, acts affecting personal financial interest, and concealing material facts from the United States. In addition to the 72-month prison sentence imposed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden, Burke must serve three years of supervised release and pay $322,850 in restitution along with $86,748.08 in forfeiture.
Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Economic Crimes Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Stanley A. Newell of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Transnational Operations Field Office; and Assistant Director Reid Davis of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division joined Pirro in making the announcement.
“Integrity — not cash — is the currency of public service. Admiral Burke rose to the pinnacle of the U.S. Navy, entrusted with leadership and honor. But instead of leading by example, he cashed in that trust — turning four stars into dollar signs and trading duty for a corporate payday,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message: if you sell your honor and trade your influence, you’ll pay the price — in prison time.”
“No individual, regardless of rank or prior service, is above the law,” said Special Agent in Charge Newell of DCIS. “The actions uncovered in this investigation represent a serious breach of the public trust and dishonor the values of integrity and accountability that military service demands. DCIS remains committed to ensuring that corruption of this nature is met with consequences.”
“Any individual involved in corrupting Department of the Navy acquisitions will be held accountable, regardless of rank or position,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of NCIS Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS remains steadfast in bringing those to justice who commit crimes that erode public trust in the Department of the Navy’s procurement process.”
“When Burke awarded a contract to Kim and Messenger’s company in exchange for future employment, he put himself ahead of thousands of civilian and military personnel serving under his command,” said Reid Davis, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal Division. “As today’s sentencing demonstrates, the FBI remains committed to bringing government officials — even four-star admirals — to justice when they abuse their positions of power for personal gain.”
Court documents show that between 2020 and 2022 Burke commanded U.S naval operations across Europe as well as parts including Russia and most African regions while overseeing thousands under his command.
Yongchul “Charlie” Kim and Meghan Messenger were co-CEOs at Company A—the vendor involved—and previously provided workforce training services under contract with part of the Navy from August 2018 through July 2019 before their agreement was terminated later that year due to concerns about direct contact with Burke regarding contracts.
Despite directives from Navy leadership not to engage directly with him on contracting matters after termination notice issued late 2019; Kim & Messenger met again with Burke during July 2021 meeting held in Washington D.C., where an arrangement was made: Burke would help secure new business opportunities for Company A using his official role—in return he would receive post-retirement employment there.
In December 2021 Burke instructed staff members award $355K contract enabling Company A deliver training programs overseas—specifically targeting personnel stationed Italy/Spain—with services rendered January following year according testimony/evidence presented trial proceedings.
Subsequently efforts made persuade another senior admiral authorize additional lucrative deals proved unsuccessful but attempts included promotion/support from within upper ranks leveraging existing relationships/influence available former position prior departure October ’22 joining Company A full-time ($500K salary plus significant stock option grant).
Burke concealed these arrangements via misleading statements both verbally & written forms required government disclosures according investigators/prosecutors who brought case forward following work led jointly by Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Federal Bureau Investigation’s local field office team(s). Prosecution handled primarily Assistant US Attorney Rebecca G Ross alongside Trial Attorneys Trevor Wilmot/Kathryn Fifield/Joshua Rothstein.
