This Supreme Court Case Could Result In Legalizing Bribery — Everything You Need To Know
On Monday, April 15, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case which could potentially make it legal for public officials to accept monetary gain following corrupt activity.
James Snyder Vs. The United States is set for argument in just a few weeks, involving the former mayor of Portage, Indiana, who was convicted of federal funds bribery for soliciting and accepting $13,000 in connection to the city's garbage trucks and other federal crimes, per Oyez.
The former mayor claimed there was no evidence showing that there was an agreement to exchange money for the trucks.
With convictions among government officials so low, conservative groups are reportedly applying pressure to court justices to come to a decision which would deter law enforcement from receiving monetary gains for official actions.
After Snyder was convicted of bribery in 2019, citizens were left baffled when the court proceeded to hear an appeal, despite the evidence.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Snyder turned up at a local truck dealership called Great Lakes Peterbilt, which he helped to obtain city contracts.
"I need money. That's what I'm here for," the mayor reportedly told the owners, per the media outlet.
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Following the visit, Snyder received a check from the company for $13,000, saying it was for "consulting," which never took place.
Vice president and senior director Kedric Payne weighed in saying Snyder "could chip away even more of what can be considered corruption."
The case is significant because 18 U.S. Code § 666 outlaws fraud or bribery within entities that receive significant federal funding, like state governments or universities, per Lever News.
