 It's not a crime. Apparently, that is not a federal crime as defined by the law in question as the court majority now sees it. Even if, as in this case, the so-called gratuity, the tip, if you will, was a $13,000 check given as thanks to a public official for a public act that included a $1.1 million contract. Of course, it was far beyond a gift card or a lunch or a plaque or a framed photo.