What are bribery and other illegal payments (kickbacks)?

Offering, receiving, or soliciting something of value for the purpose of influencing the action of an official in the discharge of her public or legal duties is illegal in both the domestic and international contexts.Â

When is bribery illegal?

Under federal law, this sort of activity is prohibited by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which specifically serves to prevent kickbacks to facilitate business transactions.

• Note: There is an exception under the FCPA that allows payment to individuals to undertake their procedural or routine tasks when such payments are customary in a country.