In a 6-3 decision on Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 2021 bribery conviction of former Portage Mayor James Snyder, reinterpreting a $13,000 payment he received as a gratuity rather than a bribe, thus not subject to federal prosecution.

The ruling, written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, potentially allows state and local government officials to receive payments from contractors, provided these payments are not prearranged or barred by specific state or local laws. This decision represents a significant victory for Snyder, ending an almost eight-year legal battle involving two trials and an appellate court affirmation of his conviction.

Snyder’s legal issues began in 2014 when he solicited and received $13,000 from Great Lakes Peterbilt after the company sold trash trucks to Portage for approximately $1.1 million. Initially claiming the payment was for consulting services, Snyder later argued it was a permissible gratuity for work already performed, akin to tips or gifts often given to public servants.

Federal prosecutors, however, viewed the payment as a violation of federal anti-corruption laws, successfully arguing that Snyder’s actions met the statute’s criteria for bribery, which penalizes public officials who corruptly solicit or accept payments intended to influence or reward their actions.

The Supreme Court’s ruling clarified that federal law applies strictly to quid pro quo bribery–explicit agreements made before an official act–and does not cover gratuities given after the fact. Kavanaugh noted the lack of federal guidelines on acceptable gratuities, emphasizing that regulating such matters should fall to state and local governments.

The decision drew a sharp dissent from Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who criticized the majority for ignoring the statute’s plain language. Jackson contended that the ruling undermines federal anti-corruption efforts by allowing post hoc payments to public officials, arguing that the term “rewarded” in the law clearly covers such gratuities.

Good government advocates expressed concern over the ruling. Craig Holman of Public Citizen warned that it could lead to more corruption, as state and local officials might feel emboldened to solicit gratuities from contractors and other entities seeking favorable treatment.

While Snyder’s bribery conviction was overturned, his conviction for obstruction of federal tax law remains, potentially resulting in a prison sentence, though likely less severe than the 21-month term initially faced.

The case underscores ongoing debates about the boundaries of legal and illegal payments to public officials, highlighting the complexities of regulating corruption at different government levels. As Kavanaugh noted, Congress retains the power to amend the law if it chooses to address the perceived loopholes highlighted by this decision.