Tim O'Toole's testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Crime, was quoted in an article on the anti-corruption bill passed by the Committee that would revise federal statutes dealing with honest-services fraud and illegal gratuities. In July, O'Toole testified in opposition to the legislation on behalf of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. O'Toole argued that, despite some high-profile cases, public corruption is not widespread and is being dealt with adequately under existing laws.

O'Toole's position received indications of support from some of House members, including Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), ranking Democrat, on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime. Scott indicated concern about the new legislation's proposed increases in penalties for corruption crimes and suggested the new legislation might be as vague and problematic as previous laws about what types of behavior would be considered a crime.