By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

The American Academy of Family Physicians should be ashamed of itself.

The Leawood-based group has essentially taken a bribe from Coca-Cola, which wants to influence the physicians group to mute its concerns over the consumption of sugary drinks in America.

To be clear, this is not an illegal bribe, the kind given to lawmakers. Instead, this is a bribe that meets the definition posted by Merriam-Webster's online dictionary, "money or favor given or promised in order to influence the judgment or conduct of a person in a position of trust."

Absurdly, in a recent Star story, academy spokesmen actually tried to soft-pedal any influence the donation of $500,000 by Coca-Cola to the group would have on what it says in the future.

The credibility of the academy has just hit zero on this topic, with the acceptance of the tainted funds.

I'd have a lot more respect for Coke -- and the academy -- if both just fessed up to what they are trying to do.

Coca-Cola wants to avoid a federal tax on sugary drinks and is trying to buy good publicity.

The American Academy of Family Physicians wants money for its various publicity arms, but doesn't have the courage to raise membership dues. Enter a willing partner in Coca-Cola.