 The legal elements and features of the major federal public corruption offenses differ . The various jurisdictional elements of the offenses require that the prosecution prove , alternatively : that the payee was a federal official ; that the payee organization received $ 10 @,@ 000 in federal funds ; that the corrupt communications involved the use of the mail or interstate wires ; that the corruption affected interstate commerce or interstate travel . The mens rea elements differ in whether they require a quid pro quo ; a mere nexus is an easier element to prove ; more difficult elements to prove include the intent to be influenced and inducement . The offenses also differ in whether the act to be procured from the public official must be an official , a violation of an official duty , a fraud on the United States , or an official transaction . The offenses also differ in whether the payor may be prosecuted in addition to the public official . Finally , the offenses differ in whether they are predicates for Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and money laundering prosecutions , and in the maximum authorized prison sentence that may be imposed upon conviction . 
