October Term 2022 · Docket 21-1158
Does a public official lose bribery protection when leaving office?
The dispute centers on whether a person can commit bribery while acting with official power but without a formal government title.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
the side that brought the case’s counsel stated that bribery presupposes an agent exercising authority for a principal.
The government’s counsel argued that the side that brought the case’s theory would limit prior precedent in unsupported ways.
The government’s counsel claimed there is enough evidence for a jury to infer a delegation of power.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 55-1 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 55-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 11-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 45-11 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 45-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 37-35 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 37-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 33, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 15-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-41 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 29-17 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 29-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 21-51
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the scope of federal bribery laws. It asks if a person must hold a formal office to be charged with selling official power for private gain.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 33, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 29-17 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 29-17
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 28, 2022.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 19-21
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the conviction overturned because he lacked a formal government title during the alleged acts.
The government wants the conviction to stand because the side that brought the case exercised official power regardless of his formal title.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 33, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 29-17 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 29-17
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues that bribery requires a formal agent who exercises authority on behalf of a principal.
The government argues that official power is fluid and can exist without the formal trappings of an office.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 33, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 29-17 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 29-17
What the justices asked
Justice Kagan asked if the side that brought the case’s theory requires formal office to charge someone under the statute.
Justice Alito asked what evidence establishes an agency relationship when the formal holder does not exercise power.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 55-1 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 55-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 11-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 45-11 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 45-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 37-35 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 37-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 15-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-41 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 21-51
Why it matters
This case defines the boundary of federal bribery laws. It determines whether officials can evade prosecution by shedding formal titles while retaining power. The outcome shapes accountability for public servants who trade influence for private gain.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 33, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 29-17 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 29-17
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 55-1 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 55-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 11-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 45-11 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 45-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 37-35 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 37-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 15-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-41 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 21-51
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 33, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 29-17 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 29-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 33, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 29-17 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 29-17
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.