Retired Admiral Robert Burke, former commander of US naval forces in Europe and Africa and former head of NATO's Allied Joint Forces Command in Naples, has been arrested on suspicion of corruption. This is indicated in a press release published on the website of the American Department of Justice, which performs the functions of the general prosecutor's office.The retired admiral and two businessmen "were arrested today to face criminal charges related to their role in a bribery scheme involving a government contract."If convicted, Burke faces up to 30 years in prison, while his two alleged accomplices face up to 20 years in prison. All three are accused of corruption and criminal conspiracy. Burke is also accused of acting in his personal financial interest and concealing material facts from U.S. authorities.The US Department of Justice said the two New York businessmen headed a company that provided "a pilot workforce training program" for the US naval forces between August 2018 and July 2019 and who se contract was terminated at the end of 2019.Despite being ordered not to contact Burke, the two men reportedly attempted to "restore [their] company's business relationship with the Navy" in July 2021. During a meeting with Burke, they reportedly agreed that the latter would 'use his position as admiral' to have the company provide services to the navy in exchange for future employment with that company.In December 2021, Burke allegedly ordered his subordinates to pay the company $355,000 as part of a contract to train staff in Italy and Spain. Subsequently, he also allegedly tried unsuccessfully to entrust the company with the provision of services under a contract with the United States Navy. In October 2022, Burke began working for the said company, his annual salary amounting to $500,000.Source: Burkina Information Agency