THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE (EXCERPT) Act 328 of 1931
750.124 Bribery of athlete. Sec. 124.
Any person who corruptly gives, offers or promises to any person engaged in amateur or professional baseball, boxing, wrestling or other competitive athletic pursuits, any gift, gratuity or valuable thing whatever, with intent to influence him to lose or try to lose, or to affect the result in any way of, any contest in which he is participating or expects to participate; or any person engaged in amateur or professional baseball, boxing, wrestling or other competitive athletic pursuits, who corruptly solicits or accepts a gift, gratuity or valuable thing, or a promise to make a gift or to do an act beneficial to himself, under an agreement or with the understanding that he shall lose or try to lose, or to affect the result in any way of, any contest in which he is participating or expects to participate, shall be guilty of a felony.
History: 1931, Act 328, Eff. Sept. 18, 1931 ;-- Am. 1945, Act 160, Imd. Eff. May 16, 1945 ;-- CL 1948, 750.124 ;-- Am. 1951, Act 91, Eff. Sept. 28, 1951 Former Law: See section 1 of Act 238 of 1921, being CL 1929, § 17101.
Understanding Michigan Law on Athlete Bribery: Section 750.124 of the Michigan Penal Code Simplified
Section 750.124 of the Michigan Penal Code pertains to the bribery of athletes, both professional and amateur. Here's a simple explanation:
Illegal Actions:
- You're not allowed to give, offer, or promise any gift, gratuity, or valuable item to any person participating in amateur or professional sports such as baseball, boxing, wrestling, or any other competitive athletic pursuits, with the intention of influencing them to lose, or affect the result of any contest they're participating in or expecting to participate.
- On the flip side, if you're an athlete engaged in amateur or professional sports, it's illegal for you to solicit or accept any gift, gratuity, or valuable thing, or promise to receive a gift or beneficial action, under an agreement or understanding that you will lose, try to lose, or in any way affect the result of any contest in which you're participating or expecting to participate.
Penalties:
- Violating this law is a felony, which is a serious crime in the US and usually carries heavier penalties than misdemeanors. The exact punishment can vary, but felonies often result in imprisonment for over one year, substantial fines, or both.
The Importance of Understanding Section 750.124
This law is aimed at preserving the integrity of sports and athletic competitions by prohibiting bribery of athletes. It ensures that competitions are fair and that outcomes are determined solely by the skill and effort of the participants, not by outside influences or corruption. If you are an athlete or are involved in the sports world, understanding and complying with this law is crucial.