Legal Definitions - boodle

Boodle is a slang term that refers to money, often a substantial amount, exchanged illicitly. It most commonly describes funds paid as a bribe, particularly to a public official, to influence a decision or action unlawfully. However, it can also refer more broadly to ill-gotten gains or funds acquired through corrupt or dishonest means.

Here are some examples to illustrate the term:

• Example 1: A real estate developer, eager to bypass environmental regulations for a new project, secretly delivers a large cash payment to a city council member. In return, the council member promises to vote in favor of the developer's proposal, regardless of the environmental impact.

  Explanation: The cash payment given to the city council member is considered "boodle" because it is an illicit bribe intended to corruptly influence an official's decision.

• Example 2: An investigation uncovers that a high-ranking official in the state's licensing department has been regularly accepting envelopes filled with cash from businesses seeking expedited permits. These payments ensured their applications were approved quickly, often overlooking deficiencies.

  Explanation: The cash payments received by the licensing official are "boodle," as they represent bribes taken in exchange for preferential treatment and an abuse of power.

• Example 3: A criminal syndicate operating a large-scale counterfeiting ring amassed millions of dollars from selling fake goods. The vast sums of money they accumulated from these illegal operations, hidden in various offshore accounts, were later seized by authorities.

  Explanation: In this scenario, the millions of dollars acquired through the criminal enterprise could be referred to as "boodle," highlighting its use to describe substantial ill-gotten gains from unlawful activities, even if not directly a bribe to an official.