Chew on this
To the editor:
A U.S. Supreme Court decision might be relevant to Cape Coral. Portage, Indiana, Mayor James Snyder was indicted for taking $13,000 from Great Lakes Peterbilt in 2014, after he left office, following the city’s purchase of garbage trucks worth roughly $1.1 million.
The U.S. Attorney argued the money was an illegal gratuity for awarding the contract, while Snyder maintained it was payment for consulting work.
Snyder was convicted and appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Court ruled that federal bribery law (18 U.S.C. § 666) applies strictly to quid pro quo bribes agreed to before an official act, rather than gratuities (rewards or tips) given after the fact.
Just some food for thought.
Cal Skinner
Cape Coral