Unfortunately, that's just not how greed works.

If you give a greedy person $100 in the hope they won't take a $200 bribe, they'll have $300.

Usually, they'll then try and manipulate people into giving them even more. "Well of course I took the $200. You guys only offered me $100. What did you expect?".

So you buckle and offer them $300 to not take the $200 dollars. How much does the greedy person end up with? $500 of course.

What comes next? Manipulating the new lowest bidder of course! "Well of course I took the $300. You guys only offered me $200. What did you expect?".

If they can take it all, they'll take it all. If they can squeeze you for more, they'll squeeze you for more.

There is never a point they will say "no, I already have enough". The closest they ever come is concluding "If I take the $100 now, I won't be able to take the $200 later".

Thats why this stuff needs to be properly regulated and fiercely enforced.

Your not going to get rid of cronyism and corruption by the carrot alone though. I see that as a red herring to ease the passage of pay rises like these.