Abstract      The   negative effect of the decentralization policy implemented since   2001 is   that corruption too become   decentrali  zed, especially in West Java  . This article   discusses  : (1)   patterns of corruption,   (2)  probable causes of   corruption   by   government officials  ,   and (3) proposed solution  . To do just that, the author chose a s  ocio legal research approach  . Empirical data was collected through   in depth interview  .  The main findings are:   (1)   C  orruption in West Java   mostly took the form of state budget misappropriation,   (2)   the major source of corruption is abuse of power, money politics and the tendency to misuse loopholes in rules and regulations.  Law enforcement should therefore focus on betterment of   regulation, organizational structure and legal culture of the officers.