Legal Definitions - bribery

Bribery is when someone offers, gives, asks for, or receives something of value in exchange for someone else doing something they shouldn't do or not doing something they should do. This is usually done to benefit the person offering the bribe.

• A company offers a government official money to approve a project that doesn't meet safety standards.
• A student offers their teacher money to change their grade on a test.
• A politician promises to give a company a government contract if they donate a large sum of money to their campaign.

These examples illustrate bribery because in each case, someone is offering something of value to get someone else to do something they shouldn't do or not do something they should do. This is usually done to benefit the person offering the bribe, but it can also harm others who are affected by the decision that was influenced by the bribe.

Bribery can have a negative impact on society and the economy. It can lead to corruption, where people in power abuse their position for personal gain. This can result in unfair treatment, wasted resources, and a lack of trust in government and other institutions. Bribery can also discourage honest businesses from competing, as they may not be able to afford to pay bribes to win contracts or gain other advantages.

Overall, bribery is a serious crime that can have far-reaching consequences. It is important for individuals and organizations to act with integrity and avoid engaging in or supporting bribery in any form.