Retired Four-Star Admiral Convicted of Bribery and Corruption in U.S. Navy Contract Scandal

Retired US Navy Admiral Robert Burke is accused of steering contracts to a firm in return for a lucrative job after he retired

A federal jury on Monday convicted retired four-star Admiral Robert Burke, formerly the second-highest-ranking officer in the U.S. Navy, on multiple corruption charges for steering lucrative defense contracts toward a private company in exchange for a high-paying post-retirement job.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Burke directed Navy personnel to award a $355,000 contract to a technology services firm and later accepted a $500,000-per-year position with the same company after retiring from the military in 2022. He also attempted—but failed—to persuade another senior officer to grant the firm an additional contract.

Retired 4-star Navy admiral found guilty in bribery case

The jury found Burke guilty of bribery, performing official acts that affected his personal financial interests, and concealment of material facts. Sentencing is scheduled for August. In the same month, the two co-CEOs of the firm, identified as Next Jump, are set to face trial in a related case.

Burke’s conviction marks one of the most significant in recent U.S. military history, making him the highest-ranking Navy officer convicted in a corruption case in decades. Throughout his military career, Burke served in several key leadership positions, including deputy commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet, commander of Submarine Group 8, and chief of naval personnel. He concurrently held the role of vice chief of naval operations—making him the second-in-command of the entire U.S. Navy at the time.

Adm. Robert P. Burke, a former vice chief of naval operations recently served as the commander of naval forces in Europe and Africa before retiring in 2022

The Navy has struggled with multiple corruption scandals in recent years, the most infamous being the “Fat Leonard” case. Leonard Francis, a Malaysian defense contractor, pleaded guilty to offering over $500,000 in bribes, as well as prostitutes, luxury travel, five-star hotel accommodations, and gourmet meals to Navy officers in exchange for classified information and favorable treatment in military logistics contracts.

Francis was sentenced to 15 years in prison in November 2024, after fleeing house arrest in the U.S., escaping to Venezuela, and eventually being returned as part of a prisoner exchange in 2023. His cooperation with investigators led to the conviction of numerous senior Navy officials.

Adm. Robert P. Burke, a former vice chief of naval operations recently served as the commander of naval forces in Europe and Africa before retiring in 2022