McCormick v. United States
United States Supreme Court
500 U.S. 257 (1991)
Relevant factsFree
Robert McCormick (defendant), a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, sponsored legislation helping foreign doctors keep their medical licenses in the state. After McCormick supported this legislation, an organization representing those doctors made campaign contributions to help his reelection. McCormick never explicitly promised to take official action in exchange for the donations. He was nonetheless indicted and convicted of extorting property under color of official right, and the court of appeals affirmed.
IssueFree
Whether a promise of official action or inaction in exchange for campaign contributions is necessary to sustain a conviction for extortion under color of official right.