As one commenter on the article pointed out, the scenario described is "extortion", not bribery, so there shouldn't be any legal consequences for the person extorted in such a way anyway. "Most states define extortion as the gaining of property or money by almost any kind of force, or threat of 1) violence, 2) property damage, 3) harm to reputation, or 4) unfavorable government action." bribery is "the receiving or offering any undue reward by or to any person whomsoever, whose ordinary profession or business relates to the administration of public justice, in order to influence his behaviour in office and to incline him to act contrary to his duty and the known rules of honesty and integrity."