18 U.S.C. § 666 – Federal Program Bribery and Theft
A federal statute aimed at corruption tied to organizations and governments that receive significant federal funding.
What § 666 addresses.
Section 666 targets theft, embezzlement, fraud, and bribery involving state, local, or tribal governments and organizations that receive federal financial assistance. The statute applies even when the alleged misconduct does not involve federal officials directly.
The key trigger is the presence of federal program funding—once that threshold is met, federal jurisdiction attaches to certain financial crimes affecting the covered entity.
When the statute applies.
Section 666 applies if the organization or government entity receives more than $10,000 in federal benefits during any one-year period involving grants, contracts, loans, subsidies, insurance, or other federal assistance.
Prohibited conduct.
- Embezzling, stealing, or fraudulently converting property valued at $5,000 or more
- Intentionally misapplying property under the entity’s control
- Soliciting, demanding, accepting, or agreeing to accept something of value to influence or reward an agent
- Offering or giving something of value to influence or reward an agent
Both sides of a corrupt transaction—the payer and the recipient—may be charged.
Who counts as an “agent.”
The statute defines “agent” broadly and includes employees, officers, directors, managers, partners, and representatives authorized to act on behalf of the organization or government.
What is excluded.
Section 666 does not apply to bona fide salaries, wages, fees, or expense reimbursements paid in the ordinary course of business.
Penalties.
A violation of § 666 is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, fines, or both.
Why § 666 matters.
This statute frequently appears in public corruption, healthcare fraud, education funding, and municipal contracting cases. Prosecutors often rely on it because it avoids the need to prove a direct connection between the misconduct and a specific federal dollar.
Charges under § 666 often turn on funding thresholds, valuation disputes, and how “agency” and “intent” are defined in practice. Call (314) 900-HELP or contact our federal criminal defense attorneys to discuss how these cases are charged and defended.
