What is the difference between bribery and extortion?

Bribery and extortion are both white collar crimes, however they are two distinct and separate offenses. Bribery is the act of giving money, goods, or other forms of recompense to a recipient in exchange for an alteration of their behavior—essentially, the recipient is being paid or rewarded for an action they otherwise would not have taken. Extortion, on the other hand, is the act of obtaining money, goods, or other forms of recompense from a recipient through coercion. This means that the recipient is forced or threatened into doing something they otherwise would not have done in exchange for the payment or reward. In South Dakota, bribery and extortion are both felonies punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $20,000. In addition, an offender may be subject to restitution, costs of prosecution, and/or civil liability. It is important to note that even though bribes and extortion payments may have been made, if there is evidence that the individuals intended to commit a white collar crime, such as fraud or embezzlement, the individuals can be held criminally liable for their actions. In summary, the main distinction between bribery and extortion is that bribery involves a voluntary exchange of money or goods for a certain action, whereas extortion involves obtaining the money or goods through coercion or threat. In South Dakota, bribery and extortion are felonies punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $20,000.

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