What is the purpose of the action in Bribery according to Ohio law?

The purpose of the action in bribery according to Ohio law is to trade goods or services for official duties. Bribery involves the inducement of a public official or other individuals in authority to perform, or refrain from performing, any act related to their official duties. This typically entails offering something of value—whether money, services, or goods—in exchange for the official's actions that would otherwise serve the public interest. This practice is considered illegal because it undermines the integrity of the decision-making process within public office and erodes trust in governmental functions.

In this context, trading goods or services for official duties symbolizes the corrupt bargain where a personal interest is placed above the duty to serve the public fairly. Other options such as engaging in negotiation, offering assistance in an investigation, or providing truthful testimony do not capture the essence of bribery, as they do not inherently involve the corrupt exchange of value for official actions. Instead, those actions can be part of lawful processes or duties expected of individuals without any unethical connotations.