Bribery comes in many forms, and describes the transfer of any item or service that has value in exchange for preferential treatment or an advantage that would not be obtained through ordinary circumstances.

Aside from the ethical implications involved in bribery, this is also a crime in most circumstances and will subject you to criminal and civil penalties.  Certain forms of bribery are federal crimes and you will need a federal defense lawyer to help you make a defense against federal prosecution.

Although bribery is varied and can apply to a host of situations, from bribing functionaries to manipulating a sporting event, the charges will almost certainly result in a felony and the penalty tends to vary with the amount and nature of the bribe.

Specific federal statues will also prescribe penalties for bribery offenses.  Therefore, if you are charged with accepting a bribe, soliciting a bribe or paying a bribe in New York, you will need to speak with a New York criminal lawyer to determine the optimal defense.

To speak with our Long Island federal lawyers, call (212) 577-6677 to set up an immediate consultation.

Bribery and graft in relation to employee benefit plans is a serious matter that involves the abuse of a position, as an administrator, officer or other trusted individual that has been entrusted with managing critical funds.  One can also be prosecuted for bribing, coercing or otherwise convincing an administrator to commit fraud on an employee benefit plan.

All persons are prohibited by federal law from accepting any compensation, gifts, loans or other things of value in exchange for preferential treatment in the administration of an employee benefit plan.  The initial penalty for this violation is a fine not exceeding $10,000 and/or imprisonment not exceeding 3 years.  This will also be a fireable offense.  Federal law however, does not prevent these items from being accepted by the administrator as long as he or she has not been affected or bribed in any way in receiving the gift.  Care must be taken as this is a very fine line and can often be difficult to prove in court that the gifts do not constitute a conflict of interest and that the administrator’s conduct was not affected by receiving the goods in by any means.

The definition of a person that can be bribed and prosecuted under federal law is very broad and will cover almost all individuals that have the ability to alter or influence an employee benefit program.  If you are accused of violating federal law protecting employee benefits in Long Island, an experienced Long Island federal criminal defense lawyer will be able to represent you in court and help make your case for innocence, or at the very least, work to secure a lesser penalty through a plea bargain. Call our Long Island criminal attorneys today at (516) 204-7611 to set up an immediate consultation.

Federal Bank Bribery statute, 18 U.S.C. § 215, makes it a crime to corruptly give, offer, or promise anything of value to any person, with intent to influence or reward an officer, director, employee, agent, or attorney of a financial institution in connection with any business or transaction of such institution.

To prove a federal bank bribery charge, the government must prove that (1)  something of value was in fact given or offered to a person; (2) it was done knowingly, willfully and corruptly; (3) with intent to influence or reward a bank officer or employee of a financial institution; and (4) in connection with any business or transaction of such institution. Also, the government must prove that the bank officer solicited or accepted the bribe, knowingly, willfully, and corruptly, with the intent to be influenced or rewarded; and that the bribe was accepted in connection with any business or transaction of the bank.

What is the penalty for bank bribery?

If the value of the bribe is greater than $100, the maximum  penalty is up to 30 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $1,000,000 or three times the value of the bribe or gratuity, whichever is greater. If the value is $100 or less, the offense is a misdemeanor punishable by only up to one year and a fine.

If you need to speak to a federal defense  lawyer in Long Island, give us a call at (516)204-7611 to consult with a bribery and bank fraud defense attorney today.