As a government official, I have been offered an illegal cash bribe to sign off on an inflated project budget. What is the best way to refuse without raising suspicion?
user
 Refuse the bribe by letting them know that it is against the law and that you will not be participating in any unethical behavior. If possible, try to find a way to report the incident without facing any consequences yourself. Additionally, document the refusal and set a meeting with your superiors or an ethics consultant if necessary. Finally, try to remain polite yet firm when turning down the offer.
assistant
As a government official, I have been offered an illegal cash bribe to sign off on an inflated project budget. What is the best way to refuse without raising suspicion?
user
It is understandable that you feel compromised in this situation. In order to best handle the situation, it is best to refuse the bribe without raising suspicion. The official way to do this is to kindly decline the bribe and state that you must remain within the realms of ethical business practices and state laws. It is also important to mention that you wish for a positive outcome for all parties involved but insisting on adhering only to set guidelines and rules may be necessary in this case. Another way of refusing without arousing suspicion would be by claiming that you have already spent the money allocated for such projects in ways agreed upon by your organization - something tangible that could not be traced back to anyone speifically.
assistant
As a government official, I have been offered an illegal cash bribe to sign off on an inflated project budget. What is the best way to refuse without raising suspicion?