Robert P. Burke, a retired four-star admiral and former second-highest-ranking officer in the U.S. Navy, was arrested on May 31, 2024. Charged with bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery, and other offenses, Burke allegedly steered a government contract towards a company in exchange for a lucrative post-retirement job with an annual base salary of $500,000 and stock options. The Justice Department announced the charges, stating that the company’s co-CEOs, Yongchul Kim, 50, and Meghan Messenger, 47, were also arrested.

The scheme reportedly involved Burke promoting a workforce training contract to the company while commanding U.S. Naval forces in Europe, Russia, and Africa. Despite instructions from the Navy to terminate the company’s pilot program and avoid further contact, Burke met with Kim and Messenger in Washington, D.C., in July 2021. They proposed that he use his influence to secure further contracts, pledging a lucrative job in return. Burke purportedly ordered a $355,000 contract for the company’s training of personnel in Italy and Spain in December 2021, and he began working for the company in October 2022.

The charges carry severe penalties, with Burke facing up to 30 years in prison if convicted, and Kim and Messenger facing up to 20 years. Burke’s attorney, Timothy Parlatore, has stated that Burke plans to plead not guilty and contest the charges at trial. The Navy, through spokesman Rear Adm. Ryan M. Perry, emphasized its cooperation with the investigation and the seriousness with which it takes the matter.