What are the penalties for corruption of public office?

The penalties for corruption of public office in Washington are severe. Under the White Collar Crimes Law in Washington, corruption of public office is a felony crime. Corruption of public office involves any act committed by a public officer, in their official capacity, which is designed to enrich themselves, family members, or any other person at the expense of the public. If convicted of corruption of public office, the person can face criminal fines of up to $50,000, imprisonment up to 10 years, or both. Additionally, the person convicted may be stripped of their public office and barred from holding any future public office. Furthermore, in certain cases, if the person has misused public funds, restitution of those funds may be required as part of the sentence. Although convictions for corruption of public office are serious offenses, Washington State also has anti-corruption laws that allow for less serious civil penalties to be imposed. These civil penalties can include a maximum fine of up to $10,000 and/or the person being barred from holding public office in the future. The purpose of such civil penalties is to give an alternative to criminal prosecution for those accused of minor acts of public corruption.

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