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Bribery charges in Rhode Island
Under Rhode Island criminal law, Bribery may be found under Rhode Island General Laws, Section 11-7-3 and 11-7-4.
This offense makes it unlawful to give or offer any gift or valuable consideration to any person in public or private employment or to a public official as an inducement or reward for doing, having done, or forbearing to do any act in relation to the business of his or her principal, master, or employer, or the state, city, or town of which he or she is an official.
This also includes showing favor to or disfavoring any person in relation to the business of his or her principal, master, employer, or state, city, or town of which he or she is an official.
Furthermore, it is unlawful for any person to solicit another to do the above conduct or to accept the bribe being the agent, employee or public official.
Legal elements of bribery
In order to be convicted of Bribery, there must exist strong evidence of the following legal elements:
- (1) The defendant is a public official or a person in public or private employ;
- (2) the defendant did corruptly accept, or obtain, or agree to accept, or attempt to obtain from any person any gift or valuable consideration;
- (3) as an inducement or reward;
- (4) for doing or forbearing to do, or for having done or forborne to do; and
- (5) any act in relation to the business of his or her principal, master, employer or state, city or town of which he or she is an official or for showing or forbearing to show favor or disfavor to any person in relation to the business of his or her principal, master, employer, or state, city or town of which he or she is an official.
Potential punishment if convicted of bribery in Rhode Island
Under Rhode Island law, a conviction for Bribery is a felony and the defendant shall be fined not less than $5,000 nor more than $50,000 or three times the monetary equivalent of the gift or valuable consideration, whichever is greater and/or imprisoned for not more than 20 years. This penalty may be found at Rhode Island General Laws, Section 11-7-5.
Contact bribery defense attorney John L. Calcagni, III
If you have been charged with Bribery call Rhode Island White Collar Defense Lawyers at the Law Office of John L. Calcagni, III today at (401) 351-5100 to schedule a free consultation.
