Ah, kickbacks are a common method of biz networking... Happens ALL the time!!!
Its not the same as destroying reciepts, and swiping the money in the till... Which is INTOLERABLE!!!
As far as the "Test" goes, ask yourself what he is trying to learn about your character?
Probably, he wants to know, if you have an independent mindset, or are just a mindless company lapdog...
RC
Maybe so, but it's still a serious federal crime...
Issuing and accepting kickbacks are both serious crimes. The Anti-Kickback Act of 1986 prohibits government contractors and subcontractors from issuing or accepting kickbacks, as well as forcing an employee to kick back part of his or her compensation. Violators may face a $5000 fine and/or five years in prison.
The US Code's Title 18, section 874, focuses on public works employees. The law essentially states that whoever induces any person employed in the repair of any public building, for example, to give up any part of the compensation, the person doing the inducing (soliciting the kickback) shall be imprisoned for up to five years, fined, or both. Beyond building repair, the law applies to anyone employed in any work financed in whole or in part by loans or grants from the United States.
Title 12, section 2607 of the US Code explicitly prohibits kickbacks and unearned fees “incident to or a part of a real estate settlement service involving a federally related mortgage loan.” The law prohibits fees and kickbacks for referrals and the splitting of charges made or received for the rendering of a real estate settlement service (other than fees earned for services actually performed).
Prosecution of kickback crimes can come from many agencies, depending on the specific territory in which the crime takes place. The General Services Administration, the Department of Defense's Federal Procurement Fraud Unit, the Office of Inspector General, and Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice are just a few federal examples. The Attorney General or the insurance commissioner of any state may also bring an action for violations of anti-kickback laws.
What you must remember as well is that by knowing about the crime, if you don't do anything (in your power that is, which, in this case, report it) to prevent/stop it, you're an accomplice...
Good luck...