US navy admiral arrested for alleged bribery scheme with training company

Robert Burke, four-star admiral and once navy's second-highest-ranking officer, accused of trading contract for high-paying job

A retired four-star admiral who was once the US navy's second-highest-ranking officer was arrested on Friday on charges that he helped a company secure a government contract for a training program in exchange for a lucrative job with the firm.

Robert Burke, who served as vice-chief of naval operations, faces federal charges including bribery and conspiracy for what prosecutors allege was a corrupt scheme that led to the company hiring him after his retirement in 2022 with a starting annual salary of $500,000. He oversaw naval operations in Europe, Russia and most of Africa.