CORRUPTION, BRIBERY, AND FRAUD EXIST AT ALL LEVELS OF SOVIET LIFE, ALTHOUGH THE TURNING POINT IN THE SPREAD OF CORRUPTION TOOK PLACE AFTER THE 20TH CONGRESS OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF BRIBERY AMONG LOWER COMMUNIST PARTY ECHELONS ARE DICTATED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH OFFICIALS LIVE AND THE POSITIONS THEY HOLD, HAVING NONE OF THE LEGALIZED PRIVILEGES THAT ACCRUE TO HIGHER RANKING MEMBERS. GRAFT AND EXTORTION ARE FOUND IN THESE FORMS: A CUT IS TAKEN FROM PRODUCE SUPPLIED IN COLLECTIVES AND STATE FARMS, PROTECTION IS EXTORTED FROM FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS, EMBEZZLEMENT AND FRAUDULENT STOCKKEEPING EXIST IN MANY RETAIL CONCERNS, AND BRIBES ARE TAKEN IN RETURN FOR COMMITTING ILLEGAL ACTS AND FOR FULFILLING ACTIVITIES WHICH A PUBLIC SERVANT IS OBLIGED TO PERFORM. SUCH BRIBES ARE COMMON IN ALL AREAS OF LIFE. COURT PROCEEDINGS, ARTICLES IN THE SOVIET PRESS, AND RELIABLE INFORMATION FROM WELL-INFORMED SOURCES GIVE A FAIRLY COMPREHENSIVE PICTURE OF EXTENSIVE CORRUPTION. SPECIFIC CASES OF FRAUD AND BRIBERY ARE CITED. BECAUSE GOVERNMENT, LEGAL, AND PARTY OFFICIALS ARE ROUTINELY INVOLVED, THE CORRUPTION IS DIFFICULT TO CURB; THOSE WHO ATTEMPT TO LIVE HONESTLY MAY BE UNOFFICIALLY PENALIZED. SEVERAL SUCH CASES ARE DESCRIBED. FOOTNOTES COMPLETE THE TEXT. (RFC)