Corrupt charges are often brought against individuals that use their positions as public officials to gain personal benefits. This abuse of power can take many forms, from allocating resources to favoring parties to manipulating policy decisions. The legal system is meant to punish these actions by imposing penalties that are meant to deter others from engaging in similar behavior. These sanctions can include hefty fines and jail time, and may even damage one’s career or social standing.
Investigations of corruption often rely upon tips from members of the public who have been harmed by corrupt practices. Whether it is misuse of pension funds by an elected official, an abusive police tactic used to coerce a confession from a suspect, or allegations of corruption in the awarding of government contracts, these investigations can have wide-ranging implications.
The types of illegal behavior covered by these cases are quite varied, but the two most common violations are fraud and bribery. The former involves paying a federal public official something of value with the intent of influencing them to perform an official act, or to commit fraud. The latter prohibits the acceptance of illegal gratuities, which are gifts given to a public official with the intention of influencing their decision.
In some cases, it is possible to hold entire organisations responsible for the corrupt activities of their senior staff. This is known as corporate criminal liability and is a requirement of the 187 countries that have signed up to the UN Convention on Corruption. Many forward-thinking companies recognise that a commitment to the fight against corruption is good for ordinary people, for the stability of societies and, of course, for business.
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