{"id":352156,"date":"2023-12-09T18:10:15","date_gmt":"2023-12-09T23:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/soliciting-or-accepting-money-to-obtain-public-office.html"},"modified":"2023-12-09T18:10:15","modified_gmt":"2023-12-09T23:10:15","slug":"soliciting-or-accepting-money-to-obtain-public-office","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/soliciting-or-accepting-money-to-obtain-public-office.html","title":{"rendered":"Laws Prohibiting Solicitation: When Is It Criminal To Accept Money To Obtain Public Office?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Laws Prohibiting Solicitation: When Is It Criminal To Accept Money To Obtain Public Office?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Federal law prohibits soliciting or accepting money in exchange for public office. These laws aim to preserve public trust and prevent corruption by ensuring that government positions are earned, not bought. Violations can result in significant fines, imprisonment, and long-term damage to democratic institutions.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

While public offices have been bought and sold on the\u00a0theory\u00a0of “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours,” federal laws prevent\u00a0bribing<\/a>\u00a0politicians. Federal law prohibits\u00a0soliciting\u00a0or accepting money to obtain public office in the United States.<\/p>\n

Below, you’ll find key information on situations where people may try to buy influence with public officials and other decision-makers to obtain public office. This includes a brief history of the law and where to go for more information.<\/p>\n

If you are facing charges related to public corruption or solicitation for public office, it\u2019s critical to act quickly. Contact a criminal defense attorney<\/a> near you for help. An experienced attorney can evaluate your case and help build a strong defense against serious federal allegations.<\/p>\n

Public Officials and Their Official Duties<\/h2>\n

“[A] democracy is effective only if the people have faith in those who govern, and that faith is bound to be shattered when high officials and their appointees engage in activities which arouse suspicions of malfeasance and corruption.” So wrote Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren\u00a0in 1961<\/a>. Indeed,\u00a0corrupt politicians<\/a>\u00a0have tested\u00a0democracy\u00a0in the United States throughout history.<\/p>\n

Public officials are people elected or nominated to a public position. They also generally include employees of any federal, state, or local governmental entity, although\u00a0some exceptions apply<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE)<\/a>\u00a0is an independent federal agency that seeks to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain ethical compliance in over 130 federal government agencies. It does so by establishing policies and providing guidance. Ethical considerations were initially addressed through the executive orders of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush. These directives were later outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (see\u00a05 CFR \u00a7 2635.101<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Public servants must follow the law and specific ethical rules of public service. These rules include but aren’t limited to:<\/p>\n