Individual and Offense Characteristics

• 77.3% of individuals sentenced for bribery offenses were men.
   
• 36.9% were White, 30.9% were Black, 18.5% were Hispanic, and 13.7% were Other races.
   
• Their average age was 50 years. 
   
• 90.6% were United States citizens.
   
• 90.1% had little or no prior criminal history (Criminal History Category I). 
   
• The median loss for these offenses was $35,115;[3]
  • 35.9% involved loss amounts of $15,000 or less;
  • 9.5% involved loss amounts greater than $1.5 million.
• Sentences were increased for:
  • being a public official (52.4%);
  • involving multiple bribes (79.0%);
  • involving a high-level elected official (55.8%);
  • a leadership or supervisory role in the offense (13.3%);
  • abusing a public position of trust or using a special skill (1.3%);
  • obstructing or impeding the administration of justice (6.0%).
     
• Sentences were decreased for: 
  • minor or minimal participation in the offense (6.4%).
     
• The top five districts for individuals sentenced for bribery offenses were:
  • Southern District of New York (18);
  • Eastern District of New York (16);
  • District of Puerto Rico (12);
  • Eastern District of Northern Carolina (12);
  • District of Columbia (9).

Punishment

• The average sentence length for individuals sentenced for bribery offenses was 23 months. 
   
• 82.0% were sentenced to prison.
   
• No individuals were convicted of an offense carrying a mandatory minimum penalty.

Sentences Relative to the Guideline Range

• Of the 55.8% of individuals sentenced for bribery offenses under the Guidelines Manual:
  • 36.9% were sentenced within the guideline range.
     
  • 56.9% received a substantial assistance departure. 
    • Their average sentence reduction was 66.7%.
       
  • 6.2% received some other downward departure.
    • Their average sentence reduction was 54.7%.
       
• 44.2% received a variance; of those individuals: 
  • 98.1% received a downward variance.
    • Their average sentence reduction was 56.6%.
       
  • 1.9% received an upward variance.[4]

• The average guideline minimum and average sentence imposed remained steady over the past five years.
  • The average guideline minimum was 45 months in fiscal year 2019 and fiscal year 2023.
     
  • The average sentence imposed decreased from 25 months in fiscal year 2019 to 23 months in fiscal year 2023.