Legal Definitions - graft

Graft refers to the dishonest use of one's position of power or influence, especially in public office, to gain personal financial benefit or other advantages. It also refers to the illicit money, property, or advantages obtained through such abuse of trust.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of graft:

• Example 1: Public Construction Contract

  A city council member, who chairs the committee overseeing public works, steers a multi-million dollar road construction contract to a company secretly owned by their sibling. In exchange, the council member receives a substantial "finder's fee" paid into a shell company they control. This act constitutes graft because the council member abused their public office and trust to direct public funds for personal financial gain. The "finder's fee" itself is also considered graft.

• Example 2: Government Procurement

  A senior purchasing manager for a state university consistently awards contracts for campus catering services to a specific vendor, despite that vendor's prices being significantly higher than competitors. It is later discovered that the manager regularly received free luxury vacations and expensive gifts from the favored catering company. This situation exemplifies graft, as the manager exploited their position of trust to benefit personally (the vacations and gifts) at the expense of the university's budget, and the illicit benefits received are also considered graft.

• Example 3: Zoning Approval

  A member of a municipal zoning board votes to approve a controversial rezoning request for a large commercial development. Shortly after the approval, the developer offers to sell the board member a prime piece of real estate at a drastically reduced price, far below market value. This scenario illustrates graft because the board member used their official capacity to favor the developer, and in return, received a significant personal financial advantage (the discounted property). The undervalued property itself represents the graft.