The multi-faceted study included a review of the legal literature and case law pertaining to public corruption and government service; a surveyed of 27,000 local prosecutors regarding their operations and public corruption investigations indictments; prosecutions and convictions over a 3-year period; and a listing of on-site visits to the offices of several United States Attorneys, local prosecutors, ethics commissions, and other related offices. Information is provided on the present state of public corruption today, its definition and nature, the availability and suitability of criminal prosecution alternatives, and Federal versus local prosecution of public corruption. Pre-investigation and investigation stages; decision to charge; and pre-charging, charging, and postcharging stages as well as trial stages and post-trial stages are also included. Also covered are areas that would help prosecutors and areas for future research. Three areas in particular require attention: corruption of law enforcement officials and officers by those trading in illegal drugs; planning and zoning activities; and municipal finance. 165 references, 27 cases, and numerous charts and figures