In for a penny, in for a pound. Unless you are extremely crafty, you don’t get to retire from this sort of criminality. Everyone who enabled you wants more and you have a semi-permanent metaphorical sword hanging over your head.
He got away with it for 30 years. That shows at least some level of craftiness.
And once you've taken the first bribe, they now have leverage.
You should come to [insert your favourite EU country here].