bribery

The offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of something of value for the purpose of influencing the action of an official in the discharge of his or her public or legal duties. Allen v. State, 63 Okl.Cr. 16, 72 P.2d 516, 519.

The corrupt tendering or receiving of a price for official action. State v. London, 194 Wash. 458, 78 P.2d 548, 554.

The receiving or offering any undue reward by or to any person concerned in the administration of public justice or a public officer to influence his behavior in office. Any gift, advantage, or emolument offered, given, or promised to, or asked or accepted by, any public officer to influence his behavior in office. Model Penal Code No. 240.1.

The federal statute includes any "officer or employee or person acting for or on behalf of the United States, or any department or agency or branch of government thereof, .... in any official function". 18 U.S.C.A. No. 201.

Any direct or indirect action to give, promise or offer anything of value to a public official or witness, or an official's or witness' solicitation of something of value is prohibited as a bribe or illegal gratuity. 18 U.S.C. No. 201.

At common law, the gist of the offense was the tendency to pervert justice; the offering, giving, receiving or soliciting of anything of value to influence action as a public official; corrupt agreement induced by offer of reward. The term now, however, extends to many classes of officers and is not confined to judicial officers; it applies both to the actor and receiver, and extends to voters, legislators, sheriffs, and other classes. All persons whose official conduct is connected with the administration of the government are subjects; including persons acting under color of title to office. State v. London, 194 Wash. 458, 78 P.2d 548.

I.R.C. No. 162 denies a deduction for bribes or kickbacks.

- commercial bribery

@ bribery at elections

The offense committed by one who gives or promises or offers money or any valuable inducement to an elector, in order to corruptly induce the latter to vote in a particular way or to abstain from voting, or as a reward to the voter for having voted in a particular way or abstained from voting.

See 18 U.S. C.A. No. 597

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