Bribery is the offering, giving, soliciting, or receiving of something of value in order to influence the actions of a person who holds a public or legal duty (often someone in public office or government). To prove the crime of bribery, the prosecution must demonstrate that there was a quid pro quo exchange in which the recipient (public official) changed or altered his behavior in exchange for the gift (bribe). The quid pro quo relationship between the gift given and the action taken must be clear and direct. For this reason, campaign donations to political candidates generally do not constitute bribery.

In Maine, bribery is addressed under the Maine Criminal Code, which prohibits the offering, giving, soliciting, or receiving of a bribe. Specifically, Title 17-A, Section 603 of the Maine Revised Statutes defines bribery as giving, offering, or promising to give anything of value to a public servant with the intent to influence the public servant's vote, opinion, judgment, exercise of discretion, or other action in their official capacity. Similarly, it is illegal for a public servant to solicit, accept, or agree to accept anything of value under such pretenses. The law requires clear evidence of a quid pro quo arrangement, meaning there must be a direct exchange of the bribe for a specific action by the public official. General campaign contributions are not considered bribery unless they are made with the explicit and corrupt agreement that the public official will perform or not perform an official act in return for the contribution. Violations of bribery statutes in Maine can result in serious penalties, including imprisonment and fines.