Title 18Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-73

§666 Theft or bribery concerning programs receiving Federal funds

Title 18 › Part PART I— - CRIMES › Chapter CHAPTER 31— - EMBEZZLEMENT AND THEFT › § 666

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

It is a crime for an agent of an organization or of a State, local, or Indian tribal government to steal or illegally use property worth $5,000 or more that belongs to or is controlled by that group, or to ask for, accept, or agree to accept something of value to be influenced in a business matter worth $5,000 or more. It is also a crime for anyone to give or offer something of value to reward or influence such an agent in a business matter worth $5,000 or more. These rules apply only when the organization or government gets more than $10,000 in federal help in any one-year period. Agent: a person authorized to act for another (includes employees, officers, directors, partners, managers, representatives). Government agency: a part of government that carries out programs. Local: a political subdivision inside a State. State: includes DC and U.S. territories. "In any one-year period": a continuous 12-month span that can start up to 12 months before or end up to 12 months after the offense. Normal pay, fees, or expense reimbursements are not covered.

Full Legal Text

Title 18, §666

Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Whoever, if the circumstance described in subsection (b) of this section exists—
(1)being an agent of an organization, or of a State, local, or Indian tribal government, or any agency thereof—
(A)embezzles, steals, obtains by fraud, or otherwise without authority knowingly converts to the use of any person other than the rightful owner or intentionally misapplies, property that—
(i)is valued at $5,000 or more, and
(ii)is owned by, or is under the care, custody, or control of such organization, government, or agency; or
(B)corruptly solicits or demands for the benefit of any person, or accepts or agrees to accept, anything of value from any person, intending to be influenced or rewarded in connection with any business, transaction, or series of transactions of such organization, government, or agency involving any thing of value of $5,000 or more; or
(2)corruptly gives, offers, or agrees to give anything of value to any person, with intent to influence or reward an agent of an organization or of a State, local or Indian tribal government, or any agency thereof, in connection with any business, transaction, or series of transactions of such organization, government, or agency involving anything of value of $5,000 or more;
(b)The circumstance referred to in subsection (a) of this section is that the organization, government, or agency receives, in any one year period, benefits in excess of $10,000 under a Federal program involving a grant, contract, subsidy, loan, guarantee, insurance, or other form of Federal assistance.
(c)This section does not apply to bona fide salary, wages, fees, or other compensation paid, or expenses paid or reimbursed, in the usual course of business.
(d)As used in this section—
(1)the term “agent” means a person authorized to act on behalf of another person or a government and, in the case of an organization or government, includes a servant or employee, and a partner, director, officer, manager, and representative;
(2)the term “government agency” means a subdivision of the executive, legislative, judicial, or other branch of government, including a department, independent establishment, commission, administration, authority, board, and bureau, and a corporation or other legal entity established, and subject to control, by a government or governments for the execution of a governmental or intergovernmental program;
(3)the term “local” means of or pertaining to a political subdivision within a State;
(4)the term “State” includes a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States; and
(5)the term “in any one-year period” means a continuous period that commences no earlier than twelve months before the commission of the offense or that ends no later than twelve months after the commission of the offense. Such period may include time both before and after the commission of the offense.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Subsec. (d)(3) to (5). Pub. L. 103–322 struck out “and” at end of par. (3), substituted “; and” for the period at end of par. (4), and redesignated second par. (4) defining “in any one-year period” as (5). 1990—Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 101–647, § 1209, added par. (4) defining “in any one-year period”. Pub. L. 101–647, § 1205(d), added par. (4) defining “State”. 1986—Pub. L. 99–646, in amending section generally, made specific reference to applicability of section to agent of Indian tribal government or agency thereof, inserted provision that section does not apply to bona fide salary, wages, fees, or other compensation paid, or expenses paid or reimbursed, in usual course of business, struck out definition of term “organization”, and otherwise revised structure of section.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

18 U.S.C. § 666

Title 18Crimes and Criminal Procedure

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73