Section 8.15 Receiving Bribe by Witness (18 U.S.C. Sec. 201(b)(4)) is a federal law that criminalizes the act of receiving a bribe by a witness in a proceeding before a court or department of the United States or in a congressional, administrative, or special investigation. This law applies to both private individuals and public officials. It is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Under this law, there are two types of bribes: a “thing of value” and a “promise of pecuniary benefit.” A “thing of value” includes money, goods, services, or anything else of value. A “promise of pecuniary benefit” is a promise to give money, goods, services, or something else of value in the future. In order to be convicted of this crime, the government must prove that the witness had knowledge of the bribe and accepted it willingly. Additionally, the government must prove that the thing of value or promise of pecuniary benefit was given or promised in exchange for the witness’s testimony.