Moreover, in some cases, local law enforcement is part and parcel of the problem itself, due to the outright corruption of its own establishment.

Human folly played a key role in many stories; characters were constantly led into disaster by their own greed, stupidity or outright corruption.

In light of these facts, it isn't entirely coincidental that last year began with stories of outright corruption in Pentagon procurement.

But investigators say both districts have histories of patronage, favoritism and outright corruption.

Some foreign embassies took bribes for giving out passports, amounting to outright political corruption.

"It doesn't have to reach the level of outright corruption," Mr. Lipper said.

Lies, greed, graft, negligence, back-room deals and outright corruption were behind a huge raid on the public till.

Local board members have been implicated in political favor trading, patronage and outright corruption.

It also stems in part from political miscalculation, bureaucratic inertia and outright corruption.

The administration clearly doesn't worry about conflicts of interest, but you don't have to posit outright corruption to wonder.