Bribery and gratuities Snyder v. United States (06/26/2024)

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. U.S. Const. Article II, Section 4

So if I am invited to go all expenses paid on a private plane for an Alaska fishing trip - and get the last seat on the plane - is that a gratuity?  A high crime and misdemeanor making me, as an Associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, subject to impeachment?

If a friend buys my house and lets my mother live there rent free?

- GWC

23-108 Snyder v. United States (06/26/2024)

Justice Amy Coney Barrett - for the majority:

Congress has established comprehensive prohibitions on both bribes and gratuities to federal officials. If a federal official accepts a bribe for an official act, federal bribery law provides for a 15- year maximum prison sentence. See 18 U. S. C. §201(b). By contrast, if a federal official accepts a prohibited gratuity, federal gratuities law sets a 2-year maximum prison sentence. See §201(c).

Justice Jackson, dissenting

Today’s case involves one such person. James Snyder, a former Indiana mayor, was convicted by a jury of violating §666 after he steered more than $1 million in city contracts to a local truck dealership, which turned around and cut him a $13,000 check. He asks us to decide whether the language of §666 criminalizes both bribes and gratuities, or just bribes. And he says the answer matters because bribes require an upfront agreement to take official actions for payment, and he never agreed beforehand to be paid the $13,000 from the dealership.