Public corruption involves a breach of public trust and/or abuse of position by government officials for personal gain. By broad definition, a government official, whether elected, appointed, or hired, may violate federal law when they ask, demand, solicit, accept, or agree to receive anything of value in return for being influenced in the performance of their official duties. This can take many forms, including bribery, corruption, nepotism, extortion, favoritism, and fraud.
[Last updated in March of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]