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of such officer, who shall embezzle or wrongfully convert to his own use any money or property which may have come into his possession or under his control in the execution of such office or employment, or under color or claim of authority as such officer or assistant, whether the same shall be the money or property of the United States or of some other person or party, shall, where the offense is not otherwise punishable by some statute of the United States, be fined not more than the value of the money and property thus embezzled or converted, or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both. (Mar. 4, 1909, sec. 97, 35 Stat. 1106; 18 U. S. C., sec. 183.)

1273. Officer contracting beyond specific appropriation.-Whoever, being an officer of the United States, shall knowingly contract for the erection, repair, or furnishing of any public building, or for any public improvement, to pay a larger amount than the specific sum appropriated for such purpose, shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars and imprisoned not more than two years. (Mar. 4, 1909, sec. 98, 35 Stat. 1106; 18 U. S. C., sec. 184.)

1274. Failure to make returns or reports. Every officer who neglects or refuses to make any return or report which he is required to make at stated times by any Act of Congress or regulation of the Department of the Treasury, other than his accounts, within the time prescribed by such Act or regulation, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars. (Mar. 4, 1909, sec. 101, 35 Stat. 1107; 18 U. S. C., sec. 188.)

1275. False entries in accounts or records, or false reports of public or trust moneys or securities. That whoever, being an officer, clerk, agent, or other person holding any office or employment under the Government of the United States and, being charged with the duty of keeping accounts or records of any kind, shall, with intent to deceive, mislead, injure, or defraud the United States or any person, make in any such account or record any false or fictitious entry or record of any matter relating to or connected with his duties, or whoever with like intent shall aid or abet any such officer, clerk, agent, or other person in so doing; or whoever, being an officer, clerk, agent, or other person holding any office or employment under the Government of the United States and, being charged with the duty of receiving, holding, or paying over moneys or securities to, for, or on behalf of the United States, or of receiving or holding in trust for any person any moneys or securities, shall, with like intent, make a false report of such moneys or securities, or whoever with like intent shall aid or abet any such officer, clerk, agent, or other person in so doing, shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars, or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both. (Mar. 4, 1911, 36 Stat. 1355; 18 U. S. C., sec. 189.)

1276. Trading in public property by collecting or disbursing officer.Whoever, being an officer of the United States concerned in the collection or the disbursement of the revenues thereof, shall carry on any trade or business in the funds or debts of the United States, or of any State, or in any public property of either, shall be fined not more than three thousand dollars, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both, and be removed from office, and thereafter be incapable of holding any office under the United States. (Mar. 4, 1909, sec. 103, 35 Stat. 1107; 18 U. S. C., sec. 192.)

1277. Officers purchasing fees at less than face value.-Whoever being a judge, clerk, or deputy clerk of any court of the United States, or of any territory thereof, or a United States district attorney, assistant attorney, marshal, deputy marshal, commissioner, or other person holding any office or employment, or position of trust or profit under the Government of the United States shall, either directly or indirectly, purchase at less than the full face value thereof, any claim against the United States for the fee, mileage, or expenses of any witness, juror, deputy marshal, or any other officer of the court whatsoever, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars. (Mar. 4, 1909, sec. 104, 35 Stat. 1107; 18 U. S. C., sec. 193.)

1278. Officer making false certificate.-Whoever, being a public officer or other person authorized by any law of the United States to make or give a certificate or other writing, shall knowingly make and deliver as true such a certificate or writing, containing any statement which he knows to be false, in a case where the punishment thereof is not elsewhere expressly provided by law, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. (Mar. 4, 1909, sec. 106, 35 Stat. 1107, 18 U. S. C., sec. 195.)

1279. Officers interested in claims against the United States.-Whoever, being an officer of the United States, or a person holding any place of trust or profit, or discharging any official function under, or in connection with, any Executive Department of the Government of the United States, or under the Senate or House of Representatives of the United States, shall act as an agent or attorney for prosecuting any claim against the United States, or in any manner, or by any means, otherwise than in discharge of his proper official duties, shall aid or assist in the prosecution or support of any such claim, or receive any gratuity, or any share of or interest in any claim from any claimant against the United States, with intent to aid or assist, or in consideration of having aided or assisted, in the prosecution of such claim, shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. (Mar. 4, 1909, sec. 109, 35 Stat. 1107; 18 U. S. C., sec. 198.)

1280. Use of appropriations to pay for personal service to influence Members of Congress to favor or oppose legislation.-That hereafter no part of the money appropriated by this or any other Act shall, in the absence of express authorization by Congress, be used directly or indirectly to pay for any personal service, advertisement, telegram, telephone, letter, printed or written matter, or other device, intended or designed to influence in any manner a Member of Congress to favor or oppose, by vote or otherwise, any legislation or appropriation by Congress, whether before or after the introduction of any bill or resolution proposing such legislation or appropriation; but this shall not prevent officers and employees of the United States from communicating to Members of Congress on the request of any Member or to Congress, through the proper official channels, requests for legislation or appropriations which they deem necessary for the efficient conduct of the public business. Any officer or employee of the United States who, after notice and hearing by the superior officer vested with the power of removing him, is found to have violated or attempted to violate this section,

shall be removed by such superior officer from office or employment. Any officer or employee of the United States who violates or attempts to violate this section shall also be guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. (July 11, 1919, sec. 6, 41 Stat. 68; 18 U. S. C., sec. 201.)

1281. Member of Congress, etc., or officer or agent of United States, taking consideration for procuring contract.-Whoever, being elected or appointed a Member of or Delegate to Congress, or a Resident Commissioner, shall, after his election or appointment and either before or after he has qualified and during his continuance in office, or being an officer or agent of the United States, shall directly or indirectly take, receive, or agree to receive, from any person, any money, property, or other valuable consideration whatever, for procuring, or aiding to procure, any contract, appointive office, or place from the United States or from any officer or Department thereof, for any person whatever, or for giving any such contract, appointive office, or place to any person whomsoever; or whoever, directly or indirectly, shall offer, or agree to give, or shall give, or bestow, any money, property, or other valuable consideration whatever, for the procuring, or aiding to procure, any such contract, appointive office, or place, shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars and imprisoned not more than two years; and shall, moreover, be disqualified from holding any office of honor, profit, or trust under the Government of the United States. Any such contract or agreement may, at the option of the President, be declared void. (Mar. 4, 1909, sec. 112, 35 Stat. 1108; 18 U. S. C., sec. 202.)

1282. Receiving pay by Member of Congress in matters affecting United States. Whoever, being elected or appointed a Senator, Member of or Delegate to Congress, or a Resident Commissioner, shall, after his election or appointment and either before or after he has qualified, and during his continuance in office, or being the head of a department, or other officer or clerk in the employ of the United States, shall, directly or indirectly, receive, or agree to receive, any compensation whatever for any services rendered or to be rendered to any person, either by himself or another, in relation to any proceeding, contract, claim, controversy, charge, accusation, arrest, or other matter or thing in which the United States is a party or directly or indirectly interested, before any department, court-martial, bureau, officer, or any civil, military, or naval commission whatever, shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars and imprisoned not more than two years; and shall, moreover, thereafter be incapable of holding any office of honor, trust, or profit under the Government of the United States. (Mar. 4, 1909, sec. 113, 35 Stat. 1109; 18 U. S. C., sec. 203.)

1283. Member of Congress interested in public contracts; contracts void. Whoever, being elected or appointed a Member of or Delegate to Congress, or a Resident Commissioner, shall, after his election or appointment and either before or after he has qualified, and during his continuance in office, directly or indirectly, himself, or by any other person in trust for him, or for his use or benefit, or on his account, undertake, execute, hold, or enjoy, in whole or in part, any contract or agreement, made or entered into in behalf of the

United States by any officer or person authorized to make contracts on its behalf, shall be fined not more than three thousand dollars. All contracts or agreements made in violation of this section shall be void; and whenever any sum of money is advanced by the United States, in consideration of any such contract or agreement, it shall forthwith be repaid; and in case of failure or refusal to repay the same when demanded by the proper officer of the department under whose authority such contract or agreement shall have been made or entered into, suit shall at once be brought against the person so failing or refusing, and his sureties, for the recovery of the money so advanced. (Mar. 4, 1909, 35 Stat. 1109; sec. 114, 18 U. S. C., sec. 204.) 1284. Making official contract with Member of Congress.-Whoever, being an officer of the United States, shall, on behalf of the United States, directly or indirectly make or enter into any contract, bargain, or agreement, in writing or otherwise, with any Member of or Delegate to Congress, or any Resident Commissioner, after his election or appointment as such Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner, and either before or after he has qualified, and during his continuance in office, shall be fined not more than three thousand dollars. (Mar. 4, 1909, 35 Stat. 1109; sec. 115, 18 U. S. C., sec. 205.) 1285. Contracts not affected.-Nothing contained in the two preceding sections [18 U. S. C., secs. 204, 205] shall extend, or be construed to extend, to any contract or agreement made or entered into, or accepted, by any incorporated company, where such contract or agreement is made for the general benefit of such incorporation or company; nor to the purchase or sale of bills of exchange or other property by any Member of or Delegate to Congress, or Resident Commissioner, where the same are ready for delivery, and payment therefor is made, at the time of making or entering into the contract or agreement. (Mar. 4, 1909, sec. 116, 35 Stat. 1109; 18 U. S. C., sec. 206.)

1286. Official accepting bribe.-Whoever, being an officer of the United States, or a person acting for or on behalf of the United States, in any official capacity, under or by virtue of the authority of any department or office of the Government thereof; or whoever, being an officer or person acting for or on behalf of either House of Congress, or of any committee of either House, or of both Houses thereof, shall ask, accept, or receive, any money, or any contract, promise, undertaking, obligation, gratuity, or security for the payment of money, or for the delivery or conveyance of anything of value, with intent to have his decision or action on any question, matter, cause, or proceeding which may at any time be pending, or which may by law be brought before him in his official capacity, or in his place of trust or profit, influenced thereby, shall be fined not more than three times the amount of money or value of the thing so asked, accepted, or received, and imprisoned not more than three years; and shall, moreover, forfeit his office or place and thereafter be forever disqualified from holding any office of honor, trust, or profit under the Government of the United States. (Mar. 4, 1909, sec. 117, 35 Stat. 1109; 18 U. S. C., sec. 207.)

1287. Political contributions; solicitation.-It is unlawful for any Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, Congress, or any candidate for, or individual elected as, Senator,

Representative, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner, or any officer or employee of the United States, or any person receiving any salary or compensation for services from money derived from the Treasury of the United States, to directly or indirectly solicit, receive, or be in any manner concerned in soliciting or receiving, any assessment, subscription, or contribution for any political purpose whatever, from any other such officer, employee, or person. (Mar. 4, 1909, sec. 118, 35 Stat. 1110; Feb. 28, 1925, sec. 312, 43 Stat. 1073; 18 U. S. C., sec. 208.)

1288. Same; not to be received in public offices.-No person shall, in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by any officer or employee of the United States mentioned in the preceding section, or in any navy yard, fort, or arsenal, solicit in any manner whatever or receive any contribution of money or other thing of value for any political purpose whatever. (Mar. 4, 1909, sec. 119, 35 Stat. 1110; 18 U. S. C., sec. 209.)

1289. Same; immunity from official proscription.-No officer or employee of the United States mentioned in section one hundred and eighteen [18 U. S. C., sec. 208], shall discharge, or promote, or degrade, or in any manner change the official rank of compensation of any other officer or employee, or promise or threaten so to do, for giving or withholding or neglecting to make any contribution of money or other valuable thing for any political purpose. (Mar. 4, 1909, sec. 120, 35 Stat. 1110; 18 U. S. C., sec. 210.)

1290. Same; making to officials.-No officer, clerk, or other person in the service of the United States shall, directly or indirectly, give or hand over to any other officer, clerk, or person in the service of the United States, or to any Senator or Member of or Delegate to Congress, or Resident Commissioner, any money or other valuable thing on account of or to be applied to the promotion of any political object whatever. (Mar. 4, 1909, sec. 121, 35 Stat. 1110; 18 U. S. C., sec. 211.)

1291. Same; punishment.-Whoever shall violate any provision of the four preceding sections [18 U. S. C., secs. 208-211] shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars, or imprisoned not more than three years, or both. (Mar. 4, 1909, sec. 122, 35 Stat. 1110; 18 U. S. C., sec. 212.)

1292. Political contributions; removal from office.-That all executive officers or employees of the United States, not appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, are prohibited from requesting, giving to, or receiving from, any other officer or employee of the Government, any money or property or other thing of value for political purposes; and any such officer or employee, who shall offend against the provisions of this section shall be at once discharged from the service of the United States. (Aug. 15, 1876, sec. 6, 19 Stat. 169; 18 U. S. C., sec. 213.)

1293. Officials giving advance information of crop reports.-Whoever being an officer or employee of the United States or a person acting for or on behalf of the United States in any capacity under or by virtue of the authority of any department or office thereof, and while holding such office, employment, or position shall, by virtue of the office, employment, or position held by him, become possessed of any information which might exert an influence upon or affect

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