Bribery is a white-collar crime that involves the exchange of something of value to influence the decisions of a person who has authority. There are several situations where bribery can happen and if a person is accused of this crime, there can be serious penalties.
Bribery overview
Bribery can happen within a business, a government agency or other organization. Commerical bribery occurs when a person offers a bribe to an employee of another company in exchange for confidential information or preference in a business arrangement. Bribery of public officials may include offering money to law enforcement, political parties, or government officials to receive favorable decisions.
These are only some examples. Bribery can cause the public to lose trust in officials and businesses, it benefits those who have money over those who are less privileged, and it rewards unethical behavior.
Penalties
If an individual or organization is convicted of bribery, they may have to pay substantial fines. The fine is often based on the transaction’s value. They can also be sentenced to prison and the length of the prison sentence may vary depending on the seriousness of the situation.
If the individual or organization obtained money, property or other assets as part of the transaction, they may be required to forfeit those. The court may also require them to repay victims for losses that resulted from the bribery. The convicted person may also be prohibited from holding public office.
In addition to these penalties, a convicted person can lose their professional licenses and lose their standing in the community. If a person needs help to address a bribery accusation, there is assistance available.