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This scandal, which surfaced in 2020, involved allegations of bribery and corruption linked to a US$1.3 billion nuclear bailout bill. Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder was indicted for racketeering after accepting bribes from utility companies to facilitate the passage of the legislation.
After his election in 2022, Congressman George Santos faced multiple investigations for alleged campaign finance violations, including misreporting his campaign's financial activities and failing to disclose significant personal loans.
In October 2022, a recorded conversation among Los Angeles City Council members exposed discussions that included racist remarks and schemes to maintain power. This led to the resignation of several council members and sparked an investigation into corrupt practices within the city government.
California Congressman Duncan D. Hunter and his wife, Margaret, were convicted of misusing over US$250,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses, such as vacations, school tuition, and luxury items. Hunter pleaded guilty and resigned from Congress in 2020. Although initially sentenced to 11 months in prison, he and his wife were pardoned by President Donald Trump in December 2020.
In 2018, Paul Manafort, President Trump's former campaign chairman, was convicted of financial crimes including tax evasion and bank fraud, stemming from his lobbying work for pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine. These convictions were part of the larger Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
In 2014, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, were convicted of accepting over US$175,000 in gifts and loans from a businessman seeking political favors. Although the convictions were overturned by the Supreme Court in 2016, the scandal highlighted the legal gray areas around political gifts.
Sources: (Reuters) (Time Magazine) (The New York Times) (PBS)
See also: The most memorable presidential debates in US history
In 2002, New Jersey Senator Robert Torricelli dropped his reelection bid after being investigated for accepting illegal gifts and donations from a businessman seeking political favors. Although he avoided criminal charges, the incident ended his political career.
In 2008, Alaska Senator Ted Stevens was convicted of accepting improper gifts from oil companies in exchange for political favors. Although his conviction was later overturned due to prosecutorial misconduct, the case effectively ended his long Senate career, which lasted from 1968 to 2009.
President Andrew Jackson institutionalized the "spoils system" in the 1820s, a practice in which political supporters were rewarded with government jobs, often without regard for merit. This system fostered widespread corruption, leading to reforms in the late 1800s aimed at improving civil service standards.
President Grant's administration, which spanned from 1869 to 1877, was plagued by multiple scandals. Most notable was the Whiskey Ring, where officials defrauded the government of tax revenues. Although Grant himself wasn't implicated, his tolerance of corrupt aides severely damaged his reputation.
Political fundraiser Tony Rezko was convicted of fraud and bribery related to a scheme involving Illinois state contracts and political donations. His connections to Barack Obama's early political career raised questions, although Obama was never implicated in the scandal. In 2011, Rezko was sentenced to 10.5 years in prison.
In 2005, Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham pleaded guilty to accepting over US$2.3 million in bribes from defense contractors in exchange for steering government contracts their way. He was sentenced to eight years in prison and was ordered to pay $1.8 million in restitution. He was granted a conditional pardon by President Donald Trump in 2021.
In 2013, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie faced allegations related to "Bridgegate," a scandal involving politically motivated lane closures on the George Washington Bridge. This incident led to a federal investigation and resulted in criminal convictions for several of his aides.
In 2000, Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards was convicted of extorting money from casino license applicants during the '90s. Known for his colorful personality and lengthy political career, Edwards served a 10-year prison sentence.
The 2016 presidential election exposed significant campaign finance violations, including concerns about foreign interference and the influence of Super PACs. Allegations of illegal coordination arose as Donald Trump initially self-funded his campaign, but later received substantial Super PAC support.
In 1996, the Clinton administration faced accusations of improperly accessing the FBI background files of hundreds of Republican officials in a scandal known as "Filegate." Allegations emerged that senior White House figures, including First Lady Hillary Clinton, requested and read these files. While no charges were filed, the controversy heightened scrutiny surrounding the Clintons.
Congressman William Jefferson was found with US$90,000 in cash hidden in his freezer during a bribery investigation related to African business deals. In 2009, he was convicted of bribery, racketeering, and money laundering, receiving a 13-year prison sentence, the longest ever imposed on a former congressman.
In 2005, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay was indicted for illegally funneling corporate donations to Texas legislative candidates. Although DeLay was convicted of money laundering, his conviction was subsequently overturned.
Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert was convicted of financial crimes linked to hush money payments to cover up past misconduct. His 2016 sentencing revealed decades-old allegations of abuse from his time as a wrestling coach.
In 2006, lobbyist Jack Abramoff was convicted of bribing lawmakers and defrauding Native American tribes. His influence peddling contributed to the downfall of several politicians, including Congressman Bob Ney. Abramoff served five years and 10 months in prison.
On October 10, 1973, Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned after being charged with accepting bribes during his tenure as Governor of Maryland and as VP. Agnew pleaded no contest to tax evasion and was fined, marking the first time a sitting vice president faced criminal charges.
On December 9, 2008, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested for attempting to sell Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat following Obama's election. His corrupt actions also involved soliciting bribes for political appointments. Blagojevich was impeached in January 2009, convicted in 2011, and sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. He served nearly eight years.
In September 2024, multiple criminal investigations into New York City Mayor Eric Adams's administration came to light. On September 25, he was indicted on federal charges of bribery, fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations as a result of a federal corruption probe. Adams became the first sitting mayor in New York City history to face criminal charges.
Tammany Hall was a powerful political organization in New York City notorious for corruption. It was under the leadership of William M. Tweed, who defrauded the city out of millions through kickbacks and bribery. Tweed was eventually convicted in 1873, but Tammany’s influence persisted until reforms weakened its power in the 1930s.
President Richard Nixon's administration was implicated in the Watergate scandal, which involved a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972 and the subsequent cover-up. In 1974, facing imminent impeachment after tapes revealed his involvement, Nixon resigned from office.
In 1978, an FBI sting operation known as Abscam took place. It involved FBI agents posing as Arab sheiks to offer bribes to public officials. Several congressmen were caught accepting bribes on tape. The operation, which continued into 1980, led to multiple convictions and exposed widespread corruption in Congress.
During the 1980s, the Reagan administration was caught secretly selling arms to Iran to fund Contra rebels in Nicaragua, violating US law. Key officials, including Oliver North, were convicted in 1989, although many received pardons later.
In 2002, Ohio Congressman Jim Traficant was convicted on ten felony counts, including bribery, racketeering, filing false tax returns, and forcing his congressional staff to perform personal chores at his farm in Ohio and houseboat in Washington, D.C. He was expelled from Congress and served seven years in prison. Traficant died in 2014.
Between 1921 and 1931, Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall (pictured) leased Navy petroleum reserves to private companies in exchange for bribes. This scandal during President Warren G. Harding's administration exposed far-reaching corruption, leading to Fall's conviction and imprisonment. He became the first Cabinet member to go to jail.
In 1989, five US Senators, including John McCain, Alan Cranston, Dennis DeConcini, Donald Riegle, and John Glenn (pictured) were accused of intervening with federal regulators on behalf of Charles Keating, a savings and loan executive who had contributed to their campaigns. Keating's bank collapse cost the federal government US$3.4 billion. All five senators completed their terms, but only Glenn and McCain sought re-election, both retaining their seats.
Corruption and betrayal have been recurring themes throughout the history of US politics, ranging from presidential misconduct to local-level bribery. These scandals show how power can lead to unethical behavior, undermining public trust and democratic institutions. Major cases like Watergate and recent campaign finance violations highlight the ongoing presence of bribery, fraud, and deception in politics.
Intrigued? Click on to discover some major corruption cases in US political history.
Cases of corruption and betrayal in American politics
Are you familiar with these notorious corruption scandals?
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Corruption and betrayal have been recurring themes throughout the history of US politics, ranging from presidential misconduct to local-level bribery. These scandals show how power can lead to unethical behavior, undermining public trust and democratic institutions. Major cases like Watergate and recent campaign finance violations highlight the ongoing presence of bribery, fraud, and deception in politics.
Intrigued? Click on to discover some major corruption cases in US political history.