In a landmark verdict this week, retired U.S. Navy Admiral Robert Burke of Coconut Creek, Florida, was convicted of multiple federal charges, including bribery, conspiracy, and concealing material facts from the government. The conviction followed a five-day trial in Washington, D.C., where a federal jury found that Burke used his high-ranking position for personal gain by securing a future job in exchange for influencing Navy contracts.

U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden presided over the proceedings and scheduled Burke’s sentencing for August 22, 2025. The case was brought forward by the Department of Justice with support from the FBI, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.

Burke’s conviction marks a stunning fall from grace for the former four-star admiral who once commanded U.S. Navy operations across Europe, Russia, and parts of Africa. From 2020 to 2022, he led thousands of service members and civilian employees across these regions, a role that placed him in a position of significant authority and influence.

According to evidence presented at trial, the criminal conduct began long before his retirement. Between August 2018 and July 2019, two co-defendants — identified as Kim and Messenger — served as co-chief executive officers of a private company, referred to in court as Firm A. The company had previously worked on a Navy pilot program to train personnel, but by the end of 2019, the Navy terminated its contract and prohibited further contact between the company and Admiral Burke.

Despite this prohibition, the relationship between Burke and the company was rekindled in July 2021 when the co-defendants traveled to Washington, D.C., for a meeting with Burke. During that meeting, all three parties allegedly struck a deal. Burke agreed to use his official position to advocate for a new Navy contract for Firm A — in exchange for future employment at the company.

This agreement proved fruitful for Firm A. In December 2021, Burke directed his staff to award a $355,000 contract to the company to provide training to Navy personnel stationed in Italy and Spain — service members under his own command.

Training sessions took place in January 2022. Following their completion, Burke continued to advocate for Firm A, attempting to persuade other senior Navy officials to grant the company even more lucrative contracts. One of these potential contracts was described during trial testimony as being worth “triple-digit millions.” However, this effort ultimately failed.

As the investigation unfolded, it became clear that Burke had misled Navy officials about the nature and timing of his communications with Firm A. He claimed that employment discussions with the company began months after the contract had already been awarded — a statement that prosecutors proved false. Moreover, Burke failed to disclose the relationship on official government ethics forms, a violation of standard federal transparency protocols.

In October 2022, less than a year after he had secured the training contract, Burke formally joined Firm A. His compensation package included a starting salary of $500,000 annually and a grant of 100,000 stock options — a reward that appeared to confirm the alleged quid pro quo arrangement prosecutors had outlined during trial.

The case, which has drawn national attention, was investigated by several branches of federal law enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca G. Ross and trial attorneys Trevor Wilmot and Kathryn E. Fifield from the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Rothstein led the initial indictment and case development.

Greg Gross of the NCIS Economic Crimes Field Office, Steven J. Jensen of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and DOJ Criminal Division leadership all released statements following the verdict, emphasizing their commitment to uncovering and prosecuting corruption at all levels.

“When you abuse your position and betray the public trust to line your own pockets, it undermines the confidence in the government you represent,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “This conviction demonstrates our resolve to hold individuals accountable, regardless of their rank or status.”

With his sentencing set for next year, Burke faces potential prison time and the permanent loss of benefits earned during a once-celebrated naval career. His conviction serves as a reminder that no individual — regardless of title — is above the law.