If it Walks Like a Bribe....

Can you bribe a government official by giving money to their family? Let’s look at the policy for accepting gifts to see how the government’s General Services Agency (GSA) answers that question. The following is from the GSA’s training website https://training.smartpay.gsa.gov/rules-about-gifts:

Accepting Gifts

A gift is considered to be anything of monetary value. Examples include gratuities, favors, discounts, entertainment, hospitality, loan, forbearance (forgiveness of a loan), services, training, transportation, travel, meals, lodging, etc.

An employee shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit or accept a gift from a prohibited source or a gift that is offered because of the employee's official position.

·         Direct acceptance means you, the account holder, accept the gift.

·         Indirect acceptance means that someone gives a gift, with your knowledge and acquiescence, to your spouse or child, a sibling or other dependent relative because of that person's relationship to you. A gift could also be indirectly given to a charitable organization, at your recommendation or designation.

Let’s stop pretending that we need to prove Joe Biden took money directly from Hunter’s shady business dealings to prove Joe accepted bribes.