Bribery is a form of extortion in which one person offers or accepts something of value in exchange for a favor. A bribe may range from promising to act in a certain manner to paying money for a desired outcome. In Louisiana and other states across the country, bribery is most often alleged in business, government or political arenas, as accepting a bribe can compromise impartiality.
A former Baton Rouge police corporal understands the seriousness of a bribery charge. The 50-year-old officer of the Baton Rouge police department was accused of taking money from a prisoner in exchange for promising to get a cocaine possession charge dismissed and a parole against the prisoner lifted. Prosecutors claim the ex-officer agreed to help the prisoner in exchange for a total of $12,000.
In September 2009, he allegedly accepted $1,400 of the bribe and was later arrested by the state police. Two weeks after his arrest, the 14-year veteran of the police department resigned from his position.
Recently, the man pleaded no contest to state criminal charges of bribery and corrupt-influencing. The maximum penalty the defendant could face is 15 years behind bars, a significant amount of time. He will learn his fate at his sentencing in September.
Bribery charges can result in time behind bars, as well as monetary fines and probation. However, these charges can have other long-reaching impacts. Because bribery allegations are common among high-profile individuals, a convicted offender may suffer negative reactions from his or her peers, community, friends and even steadfast family members. For this reason, it is important to speak with an experienced defense attorney who can protect the rights of the accused.
Source: Daily Reporter, “Former Baton Rouge officer pleads no contest in bribery case,” 24 May 2011
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