What is bribery?

What exactly is bribery? The most common type of bribery refers to the offering, soliciting, or giving of any item of value as a means of influencing the actions of an individual holding a public or legal duty. There are serious consequences for bribing someone. In Minnesota, anyone who is guilty of bribery may be sentenced to a felony with imprisonment for not more than ten years or a payment of a fine of not more than $20,000, or both. Minn. Stat. § 609.42. Minnesota also criminalizes commercial bribery which is a felony level offense carrying a penalty of five years and a $10,000 if the value of the benefit, consideration, compensation or reward is greater than $500, or to a misdemeanor with a maximum punishment of 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 if the value of the benefit, consideration, compensation or reward is $500 or less. Minn. Stat. § 609.86.