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Is a "bag of cash" a legal expediting fee?

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John Reeves
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Is a "bag of cash" a legal expediting fee?  Or suitcase of 20's or100's adding to 10K or something.  Sounds shady, but if both parties handle it correctly on their taxes it would not be illegal.  I think the cash instead of the check just gives each parties options - but what the other party does is not your problem, plus it is sexier as "cash". 

Replies

John Reeves
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Thank you for the comment, there would be no reason to do it that way if intending to be above board.  It would be an un-necessary risk because both parties would be in legal jeapordy if either party did not report correctly.  I assume paying in cash would not be in-nately illegal if handled legally.

John Reeves
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Thank you for the comment, there would be no reason to do it that way if intending to be above board.  It would be an un-necessary risk because both parties would be in legal jeapordy if either party did not report correctly.  I assume paying in cash would not be in-nately illegal if handled legally.

John Reeves
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Thank you for the comment, there would be no reason to do it that way if intending to be above board.  It would be an un-necessary risk because both parties would be in legal jeapordy if either party did not report correctly.  I assume paying in cash would not be in-nately illegal if handled legally.

Patrick Weaver
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Your proposition would be illegal and the responsible people and organisations prececuted for bribing a forign official in many countries including Australia and the European Union. The bribe does not have to be called a 'bribe' to contravene the law and all that is needed to trigger legal jurisdiction in Australia is for a company in the 'chain' to be present in Australia. The actul payment may be made by someone acting as an agent for a subcontractor, but the company in Australia is still liable. There have been quite a few successful prosecutions since the laws were introduced.  

I would expect the laws are similar in most advanced economies.