Secrecy involving government and elected officials paves the road for mistrust from the public. Transparency leads the way for open communication and confidence.
Public Corruption
Public corruption tears at the stability of a society and threatens to bring it down. Elected officials are entrusted by the people who voted for them to protect the interests of their constituents with integrity. Corruption endangers that trust and puts the security of our government at risk. Public corruption can occur at any level of government; federal, state, or local.
There are four main types of public corruption. They include:
- Bribery: A voluntary exchange (solicitation or acceptance) of any benefit to influence an official act. This exchange between a public official and a private business or person is beneficial to both parties involved.
- Fraud: This is the most common type of public corruption and involves theft by deception. Typically funds are obtained or used without authorization.
- Extortion: Threats by an elected official to obtain something of value, usually money, from another individual or entity. This type of public corruption is done in a forceful manner.
- Conspiracy/Racketeering: The organizing, protecting, or extending of illegal or corrupt activity by an elected official.
Public corruption not only costs the United States billions in tax payer dollars each year, but it also takes a toll on economic growth and the quality of people’s lives in the communities where it occurs. If money intended to build a community center is misused by a public official to fund a lavish lifestyle, the potential positives of that community center are lost forever. Public corruption must be avoided, and the best way to avoid it is through transparency.
Defining Transparency
Transparency refers to the openness of government actions, decisions, and information, ensuring that the public can access data about how decisions are made and how money is allocated. Depending on the level of government, this can include a wide range of practices, from the disclosure of government contracts, to budgets, to the availability of financial statements. When transparency is expected, it reduces the opportunity for corruption.
The Importance of Transparency
When government operations and decision-making processes are consistently transparent, it signals honesty and accountability to the community. Over time, the ability to understand and see what the government is doing builds trust with the population. This also encourages those within an area to become more involved and participate in what is going on leading to a more engaged community.
Transparency increases the knowledge of the community as well. If given the opportunity to view data on decisions made by government officials, individuals within the community are empowered to hold officials accountable. This leads to members of the community feeling more a part of where they live and may inspire them to make educated suggestions for solutions to issues within their community that officials may not have considered.
Transparency can mitigate allegations of public corruption by opening the lines of communication. Public officials may be acting ethically, but if there is any perception by the public of being kept in the dark about any decisions, there is the possibility of being accused of corruption. Open communication through press releases, news stories, or accessible online documents fosters trust and erases suspicion.
The Challenges of Transparency
While transparency should be the goal, it is not always easy to achieve. Making it simple for the public to access information is key to making transparency work. If the system for sharing information with the public is too complex, it may lead to allegations of hiding the truth.
Too much information or information that is presented poorly can also have the opposite effect on transparency. It is important to share the facts and keep them straightforward to read and comprehend. If there is too much information shared, or overly complex information, it may come across as misleading or obscuring the truth.
If You are Accused of Public Corruption
Being accused of public corruption can be life-changing, and it is important to protect your future. Securing the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney should be your first step. The team at the Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot can help. With decades of experience in criminal defense, including defending against public corruption charges, you will find the skillful assistance you need to defend your case.
To defend against allegations of public corruption, contact the Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot today!
