Opinion ID: 2190239
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Bribery.

Text: Appellants allege that the convictions for bribery and companion inchoate convictions should be reversed because the Commonwealth failed to prove that the benefit conferred upon Mitsos was consideration for a violation of a known legal duty, an element of the offense under § 4701(a)(3) of the Crimes Code. [3] This argument merits scrutiny in light of the fact that the prosecution failed to establish that the items sought to be obtained from Mitsos were anything more than personal effects of a murder victim which, absent any proof of illegality, evidentiary need, or contraband, are generally returnable to the estate of the deceased. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 323. As such, the police would ordinarily have a duty to return those items rather than to retain or destroy them. To prove a violation of § 4701(a)(3), the Commonwealth was obliged to introduce the documents in question and prove that they were indeed what the Commonwealth alleged them to be, thereby demonstrating their illegality and the corresponding duty to retain them. This burden could not be met, however, by simply making repetitious allegations as to the character of the books without any substantive proof. Notwithstanding the Commonwealth's vehement contentions to the contrary, this was not done and raises serious doubt as to the proof of the duty element as required by the statute. [4] Unfortunately for Appellants, however, while the thrust of the prosecution's case and the trial court's opinion were directed solely toward a violation of § 4701(a)(3), a review of the information filed against Appellants reveals that they were charged with a violation of § 4701 generally. Appellants have not alleged error in that regard, and thus any contention to that effect here is waived. The Commonwealth, on the other hand, has argued as an alternative ground for a finding of sufficiency that Appellants violated § 4701(a)(1), which provides: . . . A person is guilty of bribery, a felony of the third degree, if he offers, confers or agrees to confer upon another, or solicits, accepts or agrees to accept from another: (1) any pecuniary benefit as consideration for the decision, opinion, recommendation, vote or other exercise of discretion as a public servant, party official or voter by the recipient.... 18 P.S. § 4701(a)(1) (emphasis added). After a thorough review of the record and testimony in this matter, there appears sufficient evidence which, if believed by the jury, would sustain a conviction of bribery under § 4701(a)(1). If one accepts the premise that the police department was at least able, if not obligated, to return the personal effects of the decedent to his estate, it would be a violation of subsection (a)(1) to seek or accept pecuniary benefit for doing so.