Corruption Profiles
Detailed dossiers on the individuals and groups at the center of America's biggest corruption cases
Profiles Ranked by Severity Score
13 key profiles scored on evidence strength, harm scale, and legal outcomes
Civil War & Gilded Age (1860–1900)
Chairman, Tammany Hall; NYC Commissioner of Public Works
Ran the most powerful political machine in 19th-century America. The Tweed Ring looted an estimated $30–$200 million from New York City through fraudulent contracts. Convicted 1873, died in jail 1878.
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Prohibition & Depression (1920–1940)
Albert Fall
78
U.S. Secretary of the Interior (1921–1923)
Central figure in the Teapot Dome scandal. Secretly leased naval oil reserves to private companies in exchange for $404,000 in bribes. First Cabinet member imprisoned for crimes committed in office.
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Huey Long
74
Governor & U.S. Senator, Louisiana
Near-dictatorial control over Louisiana government. Built a political machine funded by mandatory salary "deducts" from state employees. Assassinated 1935 before federal charges could be filed.
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Cold War (1952–1968)
Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation (1924–1972)
Directed the FBI for 48 years. COINTELPRO, illegal surveillance, blackmail of politicians and civil rights leaders including MLK Jr. Abuses documented by Church Committee. Never charged.
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Watergate Era (1968–1980)
37th President of the United States
The only president to resign. Watergate cover-up, obstruction, enemies list, abuse of IRS and FBI. 48 associates convicted. Resigned August 9, 1974; pardoned by Ford.
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Spiro Agnew
72
39th Vice President of the United States
Accepted cash bribes in envelopes as County Executive, Governor of Maryland, and Vice President. Pled no contest to tax evasion, resigned October 10, 1973. Fined $10,000, 3 years probation.
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ABSCAM to Iran-Contra (1980–1992)
U.S. Senators: Cranston, DeConcini, Glenn, McCain, Riegle
Five senators intervened with regulators for S&L owner Charles Keating after receiving $1.3M in contributions. Lincoln Savings collapse cost taxpayers $3.4 billion. Cranston reprimanded; others criticized.
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Post-9/11 (2000–2008)
Washington Lobbyist
Super-lobbyist who defrauded Native American tribes of $85 million and corrupted multiple congressmen through lavish gifts and trips. 21 people convicted. Pleaded guilty 2006, sentenced to 4 years.
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U.S. Representative (R-CA-50)
Accepted $2.4M in bribes from defense contractors (house, yacht, antiques, cash). Wrote a "bribe menu" on congressional stationery. Pleaded guilty Nov 2005, sentenced to 8 years 4 months.
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U.S. Representative (D-LA-2)
FBI found $90K in cash wrapped in aluminum foil in his freezer. Convicted 2009 on 11 counts including bribery and racketeering. Sentenced to 13 years; resentenced to time served 2017.
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Financial Crisis Era (2008–2016)
40th Governor of Illinois
Tried to sell Obama's Senate seat. "I've got this thing and it's f***ing golden." Convicted 2011 on 17 counts, sentenced to 14 years. Commuted by Trump Feb 2020 after 8 years served.
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Speaker, New York State Assembly (1994–2015)
Received ~$4M in illicit payments disguised as legal referral fees. Convicted 2018 of honest services fraud and extortion. Sentenced to 6.5 years. Died in federal custody Jan 2022.
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71st Governor of Virginia
Accepted $175K in gifts from a businessman (Rolex, designer dresses, Ferrari rides). Convicted 2014, but SCOTUS unanimously overturned conviction 2016, narrowing "official act" definition.
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