What Constitutes A Bribe?

Ron Angle continues to try to work things - his way...and his timing. Even when he appears to be attempting to do the right thing...he does or says the wrong thing.

The ET reported on April 23, 2012, http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/slate-belt/index.ssf/2012/04/ron_angle_offers_check_to_bang.html that Mr. Angle was asked by Bangor Area School Board member Micheal Gofredo to assist financially with the cost involved relative to the implementation of a DRUG testing policy - Angle responds:

"If you vote right here tonight, I will write you the first $5,000 right now," Angle said. "You're right. I should put my money where my mouth is and I will do that right now."

Do you see the problem here? If Angle is sincere - he would say something like: Okay, here's a check for $5,000.00, let me know if I can be of further service. But instead he says: "If you vote right here tonight, I will write you the first $5,000 right now," - in this comment, in order to get his way, we hear him say - you have to do it now...or NO DICE.

This in our opinion, has been Mr. Angles life long problem - he seems to believe that as long as he throws money at an issue, he can dictate and effect the direction of the any matter, or anyone.

One would think that he would have learned by now...but it surely appears he hasn't learned a thing. We hope Mr. Angle can understand that this article is not intended as a personal attack...but an eye opening lesson - to help him see that his behavior in this instance can actually appear to be a bribe.

Wikipedia says the following relative to Bribery:
"Bribery, is an act of implying money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient. Bribery constitutes a crime and is defined by Black's Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or other person in charge of a public or legal duty.
The bribe is the gift bestowed to influence the recipient's conduct. It may be any money, good, right in action, property, preferment, privilege, emolument, object of value, advantage, or merely a promise or undertaking to induce or influence the action, vote, or influence of a person in an official or public capacity.^[1]"

Needless to say, the intelligent and professional Bangor School Board was not going to be suckered into a scandal...and chose to decline Angles apparent boodle, seeking instead to continue their due diligence.

The motto here for the ousted councilman is: Before you put your money where your mouth is - remove foot!