Wow, now here's a relief:

The bribery charges against Rep. William J. Jefferson (D-La.), who was videotaped accepting $100,000 in cash, should be dismissed because such an act is technically closer to influence-peddling, defense argued yesterday in an Alexandria courtroom.
"We think using influence is not a bribe," Jackson told U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III in seeking to have some of the charges dismissed.

Whew, glad we got that cleared up. So Dollar Bill Jefferson might only be guilty of being influenced for money, like how one would influence happiness with a smile.
But according to good Merriam Webster Dictionary:

Main Entry:
1bribe
1 : money or favor given or promised in order to influence the judgment or conduct of a person in a position of trust
2 : something that serves to induce or influence