I've heard of a few cases where people "may" have been penalized as a result of buying paidlinks, but I've yet to see 'proof' of damage (or of recovery afterward).

But others may have experienced or heard different. Either way, none of that means that Google will not act more enthusiastically tomorrow (after all, 'we've been warned!').

So, the link is as good as it would be unpaid, but there is a risk attached; you have to decide if it's worth it.

I'd certainly advise against a non-related paidlink, which would appear to me not unlike a suicide note, as well as being of doubtful benefit ;)