[ExTxMarine]

it’s a crime to receive something of value if you are a government employee, and he was not

I swear, these idiots on the boob-tube are getting stoopider by the damn day! And of course, they fail to mention the other caveats needed to make his statement true (such as your clarification)!

But, HEY, this creates some sensationalism and will put more idiot-box viewers in their corner to count towards their marketing costs - PERIOD!

[drjimmy]

I swear, these idiots on the boob-tube are getting stoopider by the damn day! And of course, they fail to mention the other caveats needed to make his statement true (such as your clarification)!
Except the "clarification" is incorrect, while the idiot on the boob tube is correct. The law says nothing about being a "government employee." https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/52/30121