International Olympic Committee chiefs have recommended that Ivan Slavkov, Bulgaria's top Olympic official, be expelled from the organisation.
Slavkov was suspended in August after being implicated in a BBC documentary on alleged corruption.
The 64-year-old was filmed discussing how votes could be bought in bidding for the 2012 Olympics.
The IOC discussed the case on Friday but no action can be taken until the full quota of members meet in July.
A two-thirds majority of the 100-plus members is needed for Slavkov's expulsion.
IOC president Jacques Rogge said: "The executive board has considered that Mr Slavkov has not abided by the Olympic charter and has tarnished the reputation
of the IOC.
"There is zero tolerance for unethical behaviour in the IOC and today's decision reinforces this position."
The BBC gave the IOC the names of more than 30 members allegedly open to corruption.
However, Rogge does not envisage any action against other individuals, and said the list has "no credibility, no proof, no substantiated evidence.
"You can't condemn people on the basis of hearsay."