Bribery

bribery

Crime of giving a benefit (e.g., money) in order to influence the judgment or conduct of a person in a position of trust (e.g., an official or witness). Accepting a bribe also constitutes a crime. Bribery is typically punishable as a felony (see felony and misdemeanour). In any charge of bribery, some element of “corrupt purpose” must be implied or proved. Thus, in the absence of a complete statutory prohibition on the granting of favours to a public official, a gift is not a bribe unless it is given with some intent to influence the recipient's official behaviour. See also extortion.

---

Bribery

See also Blackmail.

Black Sox Scandal

star white Sox players sold out to gamblers (1919). [Am. Sports: Turkin, 478]

Frollo, Claude

offers to save Esmeralda if she will be his. [Fr. Lit.: The Hunchback of Notre Dame]

Joel and Abiah

intent on gain, pervert justice as Israel judges. [O.T.: I Samuel 8:2–3]

Judas Iscariot

betrays Jesus for a bribe of thirty pieces of silver. [N.T.: Matthew 26:15]

Maltese Falcon, The

though he rejects large bribe, detective becomes involved in crime. [Am. Lit.: The Maltese Falcon, Magill I, 551–553]

Menahem

pays off Assyrian king to avoid Israel. [O.T.: II Kings 15:20]

mess of pottage

hungry Esau sells birthright for broth. [O.T.: Genesis 25:29–34]

Shemaiah

suborned to render false prophecy to Nehemiah. [O.T.: Nehemiah 6:10–14]

Tweed Ring

bribery is their essential method for corrupting officials (1860–1871). [Am. Hist.: Jameson, 511]