Bribery is offering, soliciting, or
receiving a benefit, with the understanding that the benefit is given to
influence an action or opinion of a public officer or employee, party official,
or voter (Sections 76-8-101, 76-8-103, 76-8-105,
and 76-8-106).
Bribery also constitutes a violation of federal law. In addition, under the
Code of Official Conduct, legislators are prohibited from:
· using their official positions to secure privileges for
themselves or others (Legislative Joint Rule JR6-1-102(3)(g));
or
· engaging in any employment or other activity that would destroy
or impair their independence of judgment (Legislative Joint Rule JR6-1-102(3)(a)). A friend of yours stops by and
expresses interest in getting a bill passed that will ease government
regulation of his business. You were already planning to vote for the bill, but
he indicates that if you agree to help the bill pass, by voting for it and
persuading your fellow legislators to vote for it, the expenses of the annual
trip to Hawaii that the two of you and your spouses always take together will
be covered by his business.
Can you accept the offer to pay for the trip?
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