On Monday, a jury found a retired four-star admiral as the second-highest U.S. Navy official in charge of turning the contract to the company in exchange for profitable work.
Robert Burke The Justice Department said it ordered employees to grant a company a $355,000 contract and then work there after retirement in 2022.
He has not successfully convinced senior officials to give the company a separate contract.
Court records show that a jury found him guilty of crimes including bribery, conducting acts that affect personal financial interests and concealing significant facts. A grand jury in Washington, D.C. sued Burke in May 2024.
According to the Washington Post, the sentencing is scheduled for August, the next joint CEO of the two technology services companies will be tried in related cases next.
Monday's verdict made Burke the highest-ranking official convicted in recent years for crimes committed while serving in the U.S. military.
In the Navy, Burke served as deputy commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, commander of the 8th Submarine, and head of Naval Personnel, a position he held simultaneously with as Vice President of Naval Operations, the second highest position in the bureau.
Prosecutors said Burke allegedly signed a contract between Yongchul "Charlie" Kim, the government's code officer, and Meghan Messenger, in exchange for future work.
Investigators said Burke, King and Messenger began to conduct new contracts with the "Please at Work" company after the Navy officially established a formal connection with the company in 2021. They discussed it after Burke and his office rejected the company’s initial proposal with U.S. Naval policy, according to court documents.
Prosecutors said in April 2021 that the three spoke through WhatsApp. King said, “Burke wants to work for us, but we have to reach an agreement first.
A few weeks later, Burke asked an unnamed person to find funds to obtain contracts from the U.S. Navy Europe and Africa, according to the charging documents. In July, he allegedly met with King, Messenger and another unnamed person in Washington, D.C., during which they discussed the Admiral’s guarantee that the company was awarded a federal contract.
"In exchange (they) provided Burke with a job at Company A - at least $500,000 a year and offered 100,000 stock options ... starting after Burke retires."
In August 2021, the Admiral informed him that he intends to retire in May 2022, according to federal prosecutors.
Prosecutors also accused Burke of allegedly covering up his actions to Navy officials while promoting the company’s work to others.
"When you abuse your position and betray public trust to line up your pockets, it undermines confidence in the government you represent," U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said in a statement after Burke's conviction. "Our office, together with law enforcement partners, whether it's bribery or illegal contracts, will hold the roots of corruption and hold the perpetrators accountable, regardless of ownership or hierarchy they have."
The Navy has faced other corruption issues in recent years, with the most notorious scandal involving Leonard Francis "Fat Leonard" - More than $500,000 in cash bribes were distributed and prostitutes, first-class travel, luxury hotel accommodation and luxury meals were provided to Navy officers.
Francis is Sentenced to 15 years In November 2024, after fleeing the House of Representatives arrest and traveling to Venezuela, he was sent back to prisoners who had been in prison for the previous year.
As part of the plea deal, Francis provided details to government investigators, resulting in convictions by many senior U.S. Navy officials.