A now-retired top U.S. admiral was arrested Friday on federal bribery charges for allegedly steering contracts to a company in exchange for future employment while he was the commander of Navy forces in Europe, according to the Justice Department.
Robert Burke allegedly directed the lucrative Navy contracts to the company in 2021 while serving as a four-star admiral, and it later hired him in 2022 for a starting salary of $500,000 per year. Two New York executives with the company were also arrested Friday for alleged roles in the bribery scheme.
If convicted, Burke faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, the Justice Department said. He served as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa from 2020 to 2022, and before that he was the vice chief of naval operations — the Navy’s second highest ranking officer, according to his official Navy biography.
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“As alleged in the indictment, Admiral Burke used his public office and his four-star status for his private gain,” U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves said in a released statement. “The law does not make exceptions for admirals or CEOs. Those who pay and receive bribes must be held accountable. The urgency is at its greatest when, as here, senior government officials and senior executives are allegedly involved in the corruption.”
The two…
