“Did the Trump hush money scandal blur the line between legal settlement and criminal cover-up? Let’s unravel the truth behind hush money’s legality.”
The legality of hush money has been asked so often since the early days when the world shifted towards industrialization.
However, the case that not only changed the political course of the United States of America but also the legality of the Hush money was the Water Gate scandal case.
The then-president used million-dollar money to obtain information about his opponents so that he could manipulate the electoral process.
From President Bill Clinton to Donald Trump, all used these on-paper legal tasks to get electoral benefits or silence their political rivals.
Since the familiar people ask if hush money is legal or not?
In this blog, we will highlight when hush money becomes illegal and what some signs of hush money are being used for personal benefits.
Understanding Hush Money?
In the simplest term, hush money is a commitment between the two parties where the oppressor makes a payment to the people or group of people to keep them silent or from taking any legal action against the giver.
Paying people to keep information secret isn’t new or illegal. However, if the payment is made to hide the information from the public, it could become unlawful.
How long does Hush money remain legal?
Will you back legal activities that lead to illegal conclusions?
The intellectual person will never support such activities. That is the case with hush money.
It remains legal as long as it does not involve covering up illegal activities, obstructing any justice system, or paying money to violate any laws, particularly those related to bribery or coercion.
However, regardless of its duration, if the payment is intended to conceal a crime or prevent legal proceedings, it becomes illegal.
For example:
Trump 150,000 dollar payment to his girlfriend to keep her silent, and the ultimate purpose was to manipulate the electoral process. Clinton’s payment to his girlfriend for not concealing the affair information is an illegal activity of hush money.
3 Scenarios Where Hush Money May Be Considered Illegal
Hush money remains legal until the deal may hurt the sentiments of the common man or the hidden information could benefit the justice system.
Here are some of the points where the hush money becomes illegal.
- Obstruction of Justice
Though two parties can make any deal to sort things out, if the hush money is used to avoid legal cases or obstruct the justice system, it becomes illegal.
For example:
If someone pays another person to withhold information from law enforcement or to avoid testifying in court, this can constitute obstruction of justice. Such actions can lead to criminal charges, including fines.
- Bribery and Corruption
Politicians most often use hush money to hide illegal activities like bribery and corruption, from the public.
So, when a settlement is made where bribery and corruption are involved, hush money may be considered illegal.
That is why the law strictly prohibits using financial incentives to alter the behavior of public officials or to cover up crimes.
- Coercion and Duress
The law allows you to make payment with the consent of both parties, meaning by force, hush money payment is not permitted.
Therefore, if hush money is paid under coercion or duress, it will be considered illegal. Coercion actually involves forcing, where someone is forced to accept money in exchange for their silence, often through threats or other forms of pressure.
By law, hush money payments in such scenarios are considered illegal, and the payer may also face criminal charges if further proceedings are initiated.
Legal Penalties and Consequences
1. Criminal Charges
If a person is involved in illegal hush money practices, criminal charges could follow. Depending on the circumstances, these charges might include obstruction of justice, bribery, or conspiracy.
The penalties for such offenses can vary depending on the illegal activities involved in hush money payment.
2. Civil Litigation
Victims or other involved parties may pursue civil litigation if they believe hush money was used to infringe upon their rights or obstruct justice. Civil cases can result in damages being awarded to the victim and invalidating any agreements related to the hush money.
3. Regulatory Actions
Regulatory bodies, such as financial or governmental agencies, may take action against individuals or corporations involved in hush money scandals.
This can include fines, sanctions, or other penalties designed to enforce compliance with ethical and legal standards.
Monitoring and detecting Suspicious transactions are responsibilities of every financial organization.
Fast Fashion Staff