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The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the bribery conviction of a former mayor of Portage, Indiana, on Wednesday in an opinion that narrows the scope of public corruption law.
The high court sided 6-3 with James Snyder, who was convicted of taking $13,000 from a trucking company after prosecutors said he steered about $1 million worth of city contracts their way.
Snyder, a Republican, has maintained his innocence, saying the money was payment for consulting work.
His attorneys argued before the high court that prosecutors hadn’t proved there was a “quid pro quo” exchange agreement before the contracts were awarded, and prosecuting officials for gratuities given after the fact unfairly criminalizes normal gift giving.
The Justice Department countered that the law was clearly meant to cover gifts “corruptly” given to public officials as rewards for favored treatment.
Snyder was elected mayor of the small city of Portage, located near Lake Michigan, in 2011 and reelected four years later. He was indicted and removed from office when he was first convicted in 2019.
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what an absolute joke. Supreme Court on retainer for corrupt GOP politicians. America!
what a crock. “Consulting Fees”? As in “consult with me about my preference for check or cash before sending me money after I consult with you to send me money to obtain city work?” Of course the current US Supreme Court bought this hook, line, and sinker. Otherwise, one of their own could be in big legal trouble. $13,000 doesn’t begin to add up to the kickbacks and “gifts” accepted by a certain Justice.