When a public official responsible for government contracts and buying receives a portion of the purchase price back from an outside vendor sales representative, the official is involved in a:
A. bribe.
B. kickback.
C. payoff.
D. payola.
im confused between B and C
To determine the correct answer, let's break down the options and analyze the situation.
A. Bribe: A bribe typically involves giving money or a valuable item to influence someone's behavior or decision-making. In this case, the public official is receiving money, but it's important to note the reason behind it.
B. Kickback: A kickback refers to a portion of money being returned to someone, usually in a position of power or authority, in exchange for favoritism or influence over a business transaction or contract.
C. Payoff: Payoff generally refers to the act of giving someone money to influence their actions or to achieve a certain outcome.
D. Payola: Payola typically pertains to the music industry and refers to the practice of paying someone to play a particular song on the radio or promote it.
Given the scenario described, the most appropriate answer would be:
B. Kickback: The public official responsible for government contracts and purchases is involved in a kickback when they receive a portion of the purchase price back from an outside vendor's sales representative. It implies that the official is receiving an incentive in return for favoring the vendor in the procurement process.
Therefore, the correct answer is B. kickback.