Favors of any kind are grounds for a Bribery Charge
Any person in a position of power is prone to being a target for corrupt influence. People who wish to influence the political field, change the outcome of a trial, or have other decisions made in their favor may try to bribe an official. Bribery is a criminal act that involves offering goods or services, usually money, in exchange for swaying the decisions or actions of a person in a public station. Under Florida law, any form of bribery is illegal. Anyone who is discovered offering or accepting a bribe may be arrested for bribery.
Why Bribery is a Crime
Bribery of a public official is taken especially seriously because officials hold unique positions of power. Depending on their station, an official may have wide-ranging and significant control over major actions or decisions within the government. Taking a bribe is a violation of the oath that all officials agree to uphold when they accept their positions. It also allows one individual, the briber, to exert control over the government for his or her personal gain. Historically, states with more corrupt governments have greater crime rates, less effective justice systems, and fewer personal freedoms.
What Constitutes Bribery?
When an individual offers a bribe to a public official, one or more parties may be charged with bribery depending on the circumstances. For an act of bribery to occur, a transaction does not necessarily have to take place. A briber can be charged for simply offering a bribe, even if s/he never intended to actually go through with it. Any official who accepts a bribe or suggests that s/he can use an official position to exert influence in the briber’s favor could also be charged. Even if the briber never actually delivers the goods or services to the official, and even if the official never carries out the desired action for the bribe, both may find themselves charged with bribery.
Criminal Punishment
In the state of Florida, any instance of bribery involving a public official is classified as a felony. Specifically, bribery of a public official is a felony of the second degree, the penalties for which may include:
Imprisonment: Up to 15 years
Monetary fines: Up to $10,000
Community service
Registration as a convicted felon
Suspension or removal of the convicted official from office. A single bribery charge is a grave accusation that could have lasting effects on your life if you are convicted. As a public official or briber you may find yourself professionally ostracized and unable to find a job. A felony conviction will remain on your criminal record for the remainder of your life and could have lasting effects even many years later.
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Is this a new thing? In the late ’70’s early ”80’s. I may have been approched by a country offical. This was due to the fact we came up with a way for the enity, to save a lot of money. The enity would be able to claim “savings” but we were to bill for the bidded price from others. The money was going to someplace I did not know.
Is it true…there’s big trouble right here in River City?
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