In a shocking development, a retired four-star U.S. Navy admiral, who once held the position of the military branch's second-highest-ranking officer, has been arrested for his alleged involvement in a bribery scheme with two New York-based tech CEOs. The Department of Justice (DOJ) made the announcement, revealing the details of the case.

The retired admiral, identified as Robert Burke, is accused of leveraging his senior position within the Navy to assist Yongchul "Charlie" Kim and Meghan Messenger, the co-CEOs of Next Jump, a workplace tech platform company, in securing lucrative military contracts. The alleged scheme reportedly unfolded between 2020 and 2022.

According to the DOJ, Burke allegedly instructed his staff to award a $355,000 military contract to Kim and Messenger in 2021. In return, the co-CEOs reportedly promised Burke future employment at their company. Subsequently, in 2022, Burke joined Next Jump as a senior partner, with an annual salary of $500,000 and 100,000 stock options, allegations suggest.

Burke's attorney, Timothy Parlatore, stated that his client vehemently disputes the charges and intends to plead not guilty in the upcoming court proceedings held in Washington D.C. Parlatore revealed that Next Jump indeed received a military contract and that Burke subsequently worked for the company. However, he firmly denied any connection between the alleged bribe and Burke's employment at Next Jump, stating it was purely coincidental.

If convicted, Burke could face a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, while Kim and Messenger could each face up to 20 years. Parlatore mentioned that Burke's tenure at Next Jump was short-lived, as he left the organization due to personality conflicts.

This arrest comes in the wake of recent developments in another bribery case involving senior military officers and defense contractor Leonard Francis, known as "Fat Leonard." Five officers had their felony convictions dropped due to DOJ prosecutorial errors. While the two cases are not directly connected, Parlatore questioned the timing of Burke's charges, suggesting it may be a result of the previous case controversy.

Burke's arraignment is scheduled for Monday, and in the coming weeks, he is expected to enter a not guilty plea in Washington D.C. court. The DOJ's efforts to hold those involved in bribery schemes accountable continue, and this arrest serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against corruption within the military.

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