The U.S. Supreme Court rules state and local officials may take gifts and payments for steering contracts to grateful patrons.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down part of a federal anti-corruption law that makes it a crime for state and local officials to take gifts valued at more than $5,000 from a donor who had previously been awarded lucrative contracts or other government benefits thanks to the efforts of the official.

By a 6-3 vote, the justices overturned the conviction of a former Indiana mayor who asked for and took a $13,000 payment from the owners of a local truck dealership after he helped them win $1.1 million in city contracts for the purchase of garbage trucks.

In ruling for the former mayor, the justices drew a distinction between bribery, which requires proof of an illegal deal, and a gratuity that can be a gift or a reward for a past favor. They said the officials may be charged and prosecuted for bribery, but not for taking money for past favors if there was no proof of an illicit deal.

  • @snekerpimp
    40•6 months ago

    Illegitimate court. Not a single ruling from them should be upheld or paid attention to by any citizen. Over half of them have proven themselves to be corrupt BEYOND shame.

    • @Allonzee
      12•6 months ago

      Unfortunately, despite the fact I agree with you this court is illegitimate, and would add our entire government is illegitimate due to the capitalist’s capture of it and legalization of their bribery of incoming officials, these illegitimate rulings will be enforced by our captured government at the point of a gun, and for this I blame the framers for failing to put any reasonable checks, including term limits, on the judicial branch.