<h1>Bribery in tax administration leads to arrests after sting operation and recovery of illicit assets.</h1> A federal investigation alleges a senior tax official and intermediaries engaged in soliciting and receiving a bribe through middlemen to influence appeal decisions; a sting operation intercepted a middleman accepting illicit payment, leading to arrests of the official and associates. Coordinated searches at multiple locations recovered incriminating documents and cash connected to the bribery allegation, and detained persons are being produced before competent courts while investigation continues.