Corruption charges can threaten the career of any person who is facing them. It is important to have an experienced white-collar criminal defense lawyer on your side to guide you through the process of defending yourself against corruption charges.
In the United States, bribery is defined as offering, giving, or soliciting something of value to an official or another person who has the power to influence an official’s actions in a legal or public capacity. This could be money, gifts, or services. If a person is found guilty of bribery, they may face prison time and monetary fines.
The Department of Justice brings Federal corruption charges when a public official misuses their position for personal gain. A “public official” is any person employed by the government. So, even data entry clerks or custodians working for the Federal Government can be charged with corrupt activities if they abuse their position for personal gain.
Frequently, Federal corruption charges are combined with charges by the State. This can make things confusing to a defendant, as a felony to the Feds does not necessarily mean a felony to the State. It is crucial that a defendant has an attorney that is familiar with all possible overlapping charges.
Besides the serious criminal penalties, a person or company involved in a corruption case can suffer significant reputational damage. The media often focuses on the story, and this can lead to a loss of business opportunities and declining stock prices.