What is the difference between bribery and extortion?

Bribery and extortion are both criminal offenses, however, they are distinct crimes with some important differences. Bribery is the offering, giving, soliciting, or receiving of any item of value as a means to influence the actions of an individual, including a public official, or government employee. For example, if someone offers a public official money to influence their decisions, it is bribery. Extortion, on the other hand, is the threatening to harm an individual, including their property or reputation, to obtain payment or something of value. This can include threats of physical force, damage to property, or the release of sensitive information. For example, if someone threatens to damage a business if they are not paid a certain amount of money, this is extortion. In the state of Washington, both bribery and extortion are considered felonies, and can result in serious criminal penalties if convicted. However, the penalties for extortion are usually more severe than those for bribery, as the act of extortion is considered a more psychologically damaging crime. It is important to understand the differences between the two to ensure that all criminal activities are properly reported to law enforcement.

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What is the difference between bribery and extortion?

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