Malfeasance

Malfeasance is the performance of an illegal act, especially by a public official or someone in a position of trust, that causes harm or damage. It denotes an active and deliberate wrongdoing, rather than merely an improper performance (misfeasance) or a failure to act (nonfeasance). This term is often associated with governmental or corporate contexts, where individuals with authority abuse their power for personal gain or to the detriment of the public or their organization.