INFLUENCE PEDDLING/TRADING IN INFLUENCE

Influence peddling or trading in influence occurs when an individual who has real or apparent influence over someone else another person exchanges their influence for undue advantage. There are demand and supply sides to this act. The person holding an influential position solicits benefits in exchange for using his or her influence to unduly and unfairly advance the interests of a select third party. An influence peddler receives or accepts the benefit (usually a bribe) from the third party so that he or she can exert her/his influence on another party’s decision.