Snyder v. United States
The Conclusion
**The Supreme Court held 6-3 that the federal anti-corruption statute reaches only bribes (corrupt agreements made before an official act) not after-the-fact gratuities.** Snyder, who accepted $13,000 from a contractor after awarding city contracts, thus fell outside federal reach and could face only state charges.
No circuit court data for this case.
Case Analysis
Overview
James Snyder, mayor of Portage, Indiana, steered city truck contracts to a local dealer and later accepted $13,000 in cash from the same dealer. The government charged him under the federal anti-corruption statute covering officials who accept payments in connection with federal funding. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in June 2024 that the statute only reaches bribes, corrupt agreements made in advance of an official act, not after-the-fact gratuities for action already taken. A government official can now accept large cash payments from contractors they just awarded contracts to and face at most state charges.
Conclusion
**The Supreme Court held 6-3 that the federal anti-corruption statute reaches only bribes, corrupt agreements made before an official act, not after-the-fact gratuities.** Snyder, who accepted $13,000 from a contractor after awarding city contracts, thus fell outside federal reach and could face only state charges.
Notes
OT2023. Added via SCOTUS bulk import 2026-05-14
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