Navy Admiral Found Guilty of Corruption Linked to Lucrative Job Deal After Service

A federal jury has found retired Admiral Robert Burke guilty of bribery linked to his future job in the private sector. While it’s not unusual for high-ranking military officials to transition into roles with defense contractors, prosecutors claimed that Burke secured a lucrative contract for his prospective employer before officially leaving the Navy. This makes him one of the highest-ranking officers ever convicted of a federal offense.

The saga kicked off in 2018 when Next Jump, a training company, landed a subcontract from the Navy for an experimental programme. However, this contract was terminated by the Navy in 2019, leaving Next Jump without any military business. In hopes of reviving their relationship with the Navy, co-CEOs Yongchul “Charlie” Kim and Meghan Messenger reached out to Adm. Burke—then serving as vice chief of naval operations—but were told not to contact him due to impending contracting actions.

Fast forward to late 2020: after taking command of Naval Forces Europe and Africa, Kim continued trying to connect with Burke despite being advised against it. In April 2021, he finally managed a WhatsApp call with both Burke and messenger.

Keen on securing a deal first before hiring him, Kim later described how they sensed that Burke was interested in working for them but felt uneasy about their conversation regarding potential employment opportunities.

Charlie Kim from Next Jump during an earlier event (USAF file image)

In May 2021,Adm. Burke allegedly instructed his staffer to find funding for training services that had not been previously identified as necessary by Naval Forces Europe. Shortly thereafter, Kim proposed an enticing offer: if Burke could secure a workforce training contract from Naval Forces Europe and remain in service for six months afterward promoting it across the fleet, he would be offered a position at Next Jump with an annual salary of $500K plus stock options.

The arrangement seemed straightforward; though, things took shape when Burke’s team initiated procurement processes tailored specifically around Next Jump’s leadership training program called “On My Mind,” leading to them receiving over $250K through subcontracts while delivering training sessions across Italy and Spain under his command.

Beneath this arrangement lay significant implications—Burke remained active duty for another six months while promoting these services without disclosing any prior agreements with Next Jump before retiring in May 2022 and joining them five months later as planned.

From October 2022 until January 2023 alone, prosecutors noted that he earned approximately $125K from this contractor during his initial tenure there.

This led federal prosecutors in September 2023 to charge both him along with Kim and messenger on counts including conspiracy and bribery related directly back towards these dealings; additionally charging Burke himself on concealing facts pertinent towards personal financial interests tied into official acts performed during service time.

The trial against Kim and Messenger is set for August next year while Admiral’s own concluded recently—with D.C District Court jurors finding him guilty across all charges laid out against him; sentencing is slated now within August timeframe two years ahead!

“When someone misuses their authority like this,” remarked interim U.S Attorney Jeanine Pirro (formerly known as Fox News legal analyst),“it erodes public trust.” She emphasized her office’s commitment alongside law enforcement partners toward rooting out corruption irrespective of rank or title held by those involved.”

Burke’s attorney Tim Parlatore criticized how investigations were conducted claiming incompetence throughout proceedings suggesting evidence had been withheld leading up towards verdicts rendered which he believes misrepresented full context surrounding events leading up here today!

Keenly awaiting trial are both defendants who maintain innocence asserting reliance upon guidance provided through interactions made directly involving Admiral himself—Next Jump attorney Reed Brodsky expressed concerns stating “this could reflect poorly upon Navy overall” according The Washington Post!