How is public corruption committed?

Public corruption occurs when an elected or appointed official, such as a politician, law enforcement official, or government employee, uses their position for personal gain. This type of corruption is committed when an official misuses their power and authority to benefit themselves or someone else, rather than doing what is in the public’s best interest. Public corruption can take many different forms. Examples of public corruption include bribery, kickbacks, misuse of government funds, fraud, and lobbyist influence. In bribery, someone who holds public office is offered money or some other kind of benefit in exchange for favorable actions or decisions. Kickbacks occur when someone makes a payment to an official for preferred handling of a transaction or project. Misuse of government funds is when an official uses public money for their own purposes, such as to pay for personal luxuries or items. Fraud is when someone misrepresents a person or company to receive a gain. Lobbyists often attempt to influence public policy in exchange for monetary donations. Ultimately, public corruption is a situation in which someone with authority has abused the public trust, in order to gain a personal benefit at the expense of others. It is illegal and unethical, and can seriously damage public trust in government, as well as resulting in legal and financial penalties. All citizens should be aware of the pitfalls of public corruption and actively work to prevent it.

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