The end of the Abscam scandal, which resulted in convictions of a U.S. senator and several congressmen, also brought calls for the regulation of undercover operations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On 6 January 1981 the Justice Department issued guidelines to govern such operations.

Authorization of the Creation of Opportunities for Illegal Activity

(1) Entrapment should be scrupulously avoided. Entrapment is the inducement or encouragement of an individual to engage in illegal activity in which he would otherwise not be disposed to engage.

(2) In addition to complying with any other requirements, before approving an undercover operation involving an invitation to engage in illegal activity, the approving authority should be satisfied that:

(a) The corrupt nature of the activity is reasonably clear to potential subjects;

(b) There is a reasonable indication that the undercover operation will reveal illegal activities; and

(c) The nature of any inducement...