Law360 Features Op-Ed by Craig Engle on McDonnell v. US

Arent Fox Political Law partner Craig Engle comments on the Supreme Court decision in McDonnell v. US in an opinion piece recently published by Law360.

Craig points out that corruption charges require a clear “quid pro quo” or “this for that” to occur before officeholders can be convicted of receiving illegal bribes.

In the court’s reversal of McDonnell’s conviction, the court held that the government is required to show the governor committed or agreed to commit an actual, concrete “official act” in exchange for gifts or loans, not just routine or often ceremonial tasks associated with holding that office.

Craig discusses the various facets of corruption and the law as it relates to officeholders, citing several other recent cases where corruption has been inarguably clear.

Click here to read the full article.

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