Dallas Developer Freed From Federal-Program Bribery Conviction

The federal-program bribery convictions of a Dallas real estate developer were vacated by the Fifth Circuit, because the jury wasn’t instructed that the government had to prove a “quid pro quo” bribery.

The federal-program bribery statute prohibits corruptly giving or offering anything of value to an employee of a state or local government “with the intent to influence or reward” them in connection with official business.

Ruel Hamilton was charged with violating the statute because of his dealings with members of the Dallas City Council. Over Hamilton’s objection, the jury was instructed that the statute didn’t require them to find ...