Bribery Moderate

the practice of offering something (usually money) in order to gain an illicit advantage

"The investigation revealed that bribery was at the heart of the scandal, as officials accepted cash payments to overlook illegal construction violations."

the making of illegal payment, or bribes, to persons in official positions as a means of influencing their decisions

"The investigation revealed that the city councilor's vote on the zoning change was secured through bribery involving a large cash transfer from the construction firm."