"Ignoramus9053" wrote in
message .. .
On Fri, 1 Jul 2005 22:21:00 GMT,
wrote:
I asked a few folks later, 2 who worked for the county
attorney's office,
and one who was a contractor and they were all of the
opinion that what that
guy was waiting for in that pause was an offer of a bribe.
I have no
evidence that's what he wanted, just the 3 opinions.

I never gave a bribe to any official, not even when I lived
in Russia,
mostly because there was not a chance/need to do it.

I am curious though, how often, practically speaking, are
bribes
given/offered here. If I offer a bribe to a low level
official, or a
cop, can I go to prison for it, in reality?


I am extensively familar with the problem...its very very
common in the US particularly with state or federally funded
jobs..

In some industries in SF I have been asked to quote a $17,000
job (gross profit $3,000) at $40,000 then kick back 20k to
the manager in charge of the business.

Usually graft demand is for 10 to 20% of the total sale.

here is the results of a google search on the issue:
9,700 hits

When some states stopped graft and kickbacks in their states
highway construction programs costs typically dropped 50%..
that gives you a clue on how pervasive the problem is.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l...if&btnG=Search

Its illegal in the US... but the money is too much for many in
management positions to resist.

in other countries its not illegal and businesses there can
write off the cost of paying bribes.

go see the movie "the corporation" you will find that both
funny, terrifying and informative.

Phil Scott

i