### Question
How is the term official responsibility defined?


### Answer
The term **official responsibility** is defined in *18 U.S.C. § 202* as the following:

> the direct administrative or operating authority, whether intermediate or final, and either exercisable alone or with others, and either personally or through subordinates, to approve, disapprove, or otherwise direct Government action

#### Citation:
  - *18 U.S.C. § 202*
  - Heading: **PART I-CRIMES > CHAPTER 11-BRIBERY, GRAFT, AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST**

