 [ F ] ederal courts and prosecutors are now realizing the potential uses for the mail fraud statute in combating political corruption . The relative ease of proving mail fraud violations and the apparent increase in corrupt political activities have caused more political officials to face mail fraud prosecutions . The recent successful prosecution of a non @-@ elected political official foreshadows the continuing evolution of the mail fraud act as one of the public 's protectors against bribery and extortion committed by government personnel . 
