Business

Salt Lake City Scandal and Bigtown

Business Law

Unit 1 Individual Project 1

October 10, 2010

Part A:

After researching the Salt Lake City Olympics Scandal, there are a few specific issues that link to Bigtown’s situation. The first issue is the difference between right and wrong, ethical and unethical practices. What makes the Mayor’s actions unethical was his choice to use his position of office to offer contracts for business. The same situation occurred when the SLOC gave cash and other benefits to IOC members to influence the vote to choose Utah for the 2002 Olympics. One member received $130,000 in cash and medical expenses (Salt Lake City bribery scandal: the buying of the Olympic games, 1999). The second issue is fairness. It is not fair to persuade others to get what you want. Not everyone has all access to everything. Not everyone could offer money or benefits. Who’s to say that just because others may not have the same amount of money to offer that their state is not good enough to hold the Olympics? Same with Bigtown, other companies may not be able to afford these cheap contracts, in turn those cities will not be able to get that business.

Part B:

1). What is the difference between lobbying and bribery? Findlaw says "bribery is to give or receive anything of value in exchange for influence on a government/public official or employee" (Findlaw, 2010). Lobbying is to solicit or try to influence the votes of members of a legislative body (Dictionary.com, 2010). There are significant differences between the two words. One difference is lobbying is legal and bribery is not. Then the other difference is bribery is offering goods of value for political action, where lobbying is offering support in return for political action.

2). The general public feels that bribery is immoral because not everyone has the same advantages. People can persuade one’s thoughts or feelings by facts, figures, or lobbying but not all people have access to things of value...