Former Vice Chief of Naval Operations Robert Burke was arrested Friday for allegedly steering government contracts toward a company in exchange for a lucrative job offer while commanding US naval forces in Europe and Africa.

Burke, along with the company’s co-CEOs Yongchul “Charlie” Kim and Meghan Messenger, faces bribery and conspiracy charges.

Burke is also charged with acts affecting a personal financial interest and concealing material facts from the US.

If convicted, Burke could face up to 30 years in prison, while Kim and Messenger could each face up to 20 years, CNN reported.

The Navy has fully cooperated with the investigation, according to Rear Adm. Ryan Perry. Burke’s attorney, Timothy Parlatore, stated that Burke denies the allegations and plans to contest the charges at trial.

Prosecutors allege that Burke covertly assisted the company in obtaining a government contract to provide training for Navy forces in Italy and Spain.

Additionally, an agreement was made for Burke to help the company secure a more lucrative contract worth “triple digit millions” for training a larger portion of the Navy.

The company, referred to as “Company A” in court documents, is identified as NextJump based on information about its co-CEOs and a matching contract with the US Navy.

In return for his assistance, Kim and Messenger promised Burke a high-paying job, which he began in October 2022 with a starting salary of $500,000 per year.

Prosecutors claim Burke lied to the Navy to conceal his involvement, falsely stating that he only discussed job opportunities with Company A months after the contract was awarded.

Written by B.C. Begley