Bribery

Bribery is the act of offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something of value (such as money, gifts, favors, or benefits) with the intention of influencing the actions, decisions, or behavior of an individual in a position of trust or authority. 

The purpose of bribery is often to gain an unfair advantage, favorable treatment, or to secure a specific outcome. 

Bribery is generally considered unethical and, in many jurisdictions, illegal. It undermines the principles of fairness, impartiality, and integrity in various sectors, including government, business, and other organizations. 

By Kiwiev - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/

Anti-bribery laws exist in many countries, and international organizations, such as the United Nations and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), work to combat bribery through initiatives and agreements. Companies and individuals found guilty of engaging in bribery may face legal consequences, including fines, imprisonment, and damage to their reputation. 

HISTORY

Bribery has a long history, and instances of bribery can be found in various ancient civilizations. In ancient Greece, for instance, there are historical references to bribery and corruption in both literature and historical accounts. Similarly, ancient Roman society witnessed instances of bribery and corruption, with some well-known cases documented in texts such as the "Satyricon" by Petronius.

Roman emperor Caligula was notorious for accepting bribes, even selling important government positions to the highest bidder.

In ancient China, bribery was considered a common practice and even regulated by law, albeit with varying degrees of severity depending on the context.

In 1919, the World Series wasn't a battle on the field, but a betrayal off it. Eight Chicago White Sox stars, including Shoeless Joe Jackson, conspired with gamblers to throw the Series for cash. Greed fueled their actions, but low salaries and a stingy owner likely played a part. Their scheme, though, couldn't hide forever. Exposed by journalists, the scandal erupted, rocking baseball to its core. Players were banned, trust shattered. It led to the creation of the commissioner position, safeguarding the sport's integrity.

A member of Al Capone's gang promised federal agent Eliot Ness that $2000 (around $38,000 in today's money) would be on his desk every Monday morning if he turned a blind eye to their bootlegging. Ness refused the bribe and in later years struggled with money; he died almost broke at the age of 54.

On February 6, 1976, Lockheed Corporation president Carl Kotchian admitted paying out approximately $3 million in bribes to the office of Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka during a testimony before a United States Senate subcommittee. Kotchian testified that the money was paid to help secure the sale of TriStar jets to All Nippon Airways (ANA), a Japanese airline.

The scandal became known as the Lockheed bribery scandal and had significant political and economic repercussions in both the United States and Japan. In Japan, Tanaka was eventually found guilty of accepting bribes and resigned as Prime Minister. n the United States, there were investigations and indictments against several Lockheed officials, but the company itself was not penalized.

Abscam was an FBI sting operation in the late 1970s and early 1980 where the FBI formed a fake company and attempted to bribe members of congress. More than 30 political figures were investigated, and six members of the House of Representatives and one senator were convicted.

R. Budd Dwyer, the Pennsylvania state treasurer, committed suicide during a live press conference on January 22, 1987. He had been convicted of bribery and was about to be sentenced. In front of reporters and cameras, he pulled out a gun, shot himself in the mouth, and died instantly.

BRIBERY FUN FACTS

Bribery doesn't always involve money. Gifts, favors, and even sexual services can be used as bribes.

Some companies have created elaborate schemes to disguise bribes, such as hiring relatives of officials as consultants or setting up shell companies to funnel money.

In some cultures, bribery is seen as a necessary part of doing business, while in others it's considered a serious crime.

According to the World Bank, an estimated $1 trillion is paid in bribes each year globally.

Bribery is most prevalent in developing countries, often due to weak institutions and lack of transparency.

In 2023, the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index ranked Denmark and Finland as the least corrupt countries, while Venezuela and Somalia topped the list of most corrupt.