Legal Definitions - bribe-taker

A bribe-taker refers to an individual who accepts or receives a bribe. A bribe is typically something of value—such as money, gifts, favors, or preferential treatment—offered to influence a person in a position of power, trust, or authority to act in a way that benefits the giver, often illegally or unethically, by compromising their official duties or impartial judgment.

Here are some examples to illustrate the term:

• Example 1: Government Official

  A city council member is approached by a construction company executive who offers them a significant cash payment. In exchange, the executive asks the council member to vote in favor of a specific zoning variance that would allow the company to build a large commercial complex in a residential area. If the council member accepts the money and subsequently votes for the variance, they become a bribe-taker. They have accepted something of value (the cash) to influence their official decision, which should have been based on public interest and legal guidelines.

• Example 2: University Admissions Officer

  An admissions officer at a prestigious university is offered an expensive sports car by the wealthy parent of an applicant. The parent explicitly states that the car is a "gift" and hopes it will ensure their child's acceptance, despite the child having a less competitive academic record than other applicants. If the admissions officer accepts the car and then manipulates the admissions process to secure the child's place, they are acting as a bribe-taker. They have compromised their professional integrity and the fairness of the admissions system by accepting a valuable item to grant an unfair advantage.

• Example 3: Sports Referee

  Before a major championship game, a referee is secretly given a substantial sum of money by an individual connected to one of the competing teams. The understanding is that the referee should make calls that subtly favor that team during the match. If the referee accepts the money and then proceeds to make biased decisions on the field, such as overlooking fouls by the favored team or calling questionable penalties against their opponent, they are a bribe-taker. They have accepted payment to undermine the impartiality and fairness of the sporting event.