Politics is often a realm of power, influence, and public service. However, it is also a world tainted by scandals and controversies. Numerous politicians have faced legal turmoil throughout history, whether corruption charges, ethics violations, or even criminal acts. Here are 24 politicians who faced legal battles.
1. Former White House Chief of Staff Bob Haldeman
H.R. “Bob” Haldeman, Former White House Chief of Staff during President Richard Nixon's tenure, spent 18 months in prison sentence due to his role in the Watergate scandal. His conviction stemmed from charges of perjury, conspiracy, and obstructing justice in an attempt to conceal the Nixon Administration's connection to Watergate.
2. Former U.S. Senator John Edwards
A former U.S. Senator, John Edwards, faced accusations of accepting illegal campaign contributions. However, his legal saga took a twist when a judge declared a mistrial in May, as the jury could not unanimously decide on one of the charges against him.
3. The Late Sen. Ted Stevens
In 2008, Sen. Ted Stevens was convicted of various ethical violations, including making false statements. The charges were related to alleged gifts from oil company executives he used to upgrade his home. However, in a surprising turn of events, a judge later set aside the conviction, citing prosecutorial mishandling of the case.
4. U.S. Sen. Larry Craig
U.S. Sen. Larry Craig found himself in legal trouble after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct. He had been accused of making promiscuous advances in a bathroom stall, which sparked a media frenzy. Craig’s case raised questions about the boundaries between personal conduct and political responsibility.
5. Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan
Former Illinois Governor George Ryan faced a conviction in 2006 on corruption charges. The jury found him guilty of all 18 felony charges against him, including fraud, racketeering conspiracy, and making false statements to the FBI. While his prison sentence was set to end in 2013, he qualified for a work release program in August.
6. Rep. Michael Grimm
Rep. Michael Grimm of New York faced a litany of charges, including mail and wire fraud and filing false tax returns, concerning a Manhattan restaurant he operated called “Healthalicious.” He was ultimately sentenced to eight months in prison.
7. Rep. Patrick Swindall
Rep. Patrick Swindall, a Georgia Republican, was accused of lying about his knowledge of drug profit laundering money that was used as the source of a home loan he sought. He received a one-year prison sentence, serving a reminder that allegations of a financial nature can have serious legal consequences.
8. Governor Rod Blagojevich
Rod Blagojevich, the former Governor of Illinois, was arrested for attempting to sell President Obama’s Senate seat. He was ultimately convicted, shedding light on the corruption that can permeate politics and the absurd lengths to which some politicians will go to gain power.
9. Rep. Tom Delay
Rep. Tom DeLay from Texas was accused of siding with political associates to impact Texas state legislature races through a PAC that illegally gave corporate contributions to candidates. Although convicted, his conviction was overturned by a court in 2013, underscoring the complexities of campaign finance laws.
10. Rep. James Traficant
Former Ohio Congressman James Traficant faced multiple counts, including bribery, tax evasion, and accepting illegal gifts. He was sentenced to eight years in prison and accused of engaging in a “pattern of racketeering” by soliciting bribes for official favors.
11. Rep. Duncan Hunter
Duncan Hunter, a U.S. Representative from California, faced a legal battle related to campaign finance violations. In 2019, Hunter pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to misuse campaign funds for personal expenses, including vacations, dental work, and dining out. He was subsequently sentenced to 11 months in federal prison.
12. Rep. William Jefferson
This Louisiana Democrat faced a staggering 16 counts of accepting approximately $500,000 in bribes. The FBI’s discovery of $90,000 in his freezer made headlines, leading to his 13-year prison sentence.
13. Rep. Chaka Fattah
In 2015, Rep. Chaka Fattah, a Pennsylvania Democrat, faced 29 counts related to misappropriation of funds following his unsuccessful mayoral run in Philadelphia. His legal troubles were a stark reminder of the need for political transparency and accountability.
14. Rep. Mel Reynolds
Rep. Mel Reynolds of Illinois faced a shocking array of charges, including the harassment of minors. His case was linked to allegations of promiscuous misconduct with a teenage campaign worker and several inappropriate photos. He served time in prison, with his sentence later commuted by President Bill Clinton.
15. Rep. Wes S. Cooley
He allegedly lied to voters about his military service in official state voter guides. While he avoided jail time through a plea deal, his political career ended. Honesty and integrity is the only way to go through an electoral process.
16. Rep. Nicholas Mavroules
Rep. Nicholas Mavroules of Massachusetts was accused of accepting illegal gifts and misusing his office for personal gain. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison, serving a cautionary tale of the consequences of unethical behavior in a public office.
17. John Mitchell
John Mitchell, the attorney general under President Richard Nixon, faced a dramatic fall from grace when he was found guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and perjury in 1975. His legal troubles were intertwined with the Watergate scandal, ultimately leading to President Nixon’s resignation.
18. Rep. Joseph Kolter
Rep. Joseph Kolter of Pennsylvania faced charges of embezzling over $40,000 in taxpayer money concerning the Rostenkowski case. He received a six-month prison sentence for his questionable actions.
19. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison faced a misdemeanor count and four felony charges related to allegations of using state employees and time for political and personal purposes. She was acquitted, allowing her to continue her political career for two more decades in the Senate.
20. Sen. Harrison A. Williams
Sen. Harrison A. Williams of New Jersey faced 9 counts of bribery and conspiracy concerning the Abscam operation, in which agents posed as foreign politicians seeking political favors. Williams was convicted, and the operation later inspired the film American Hustle.
21. Rep. Albert Bustamante
Rep. Albert Bustamante of Texas faced 10 counts and was accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes and engaging in criminal activities through his office. Fortunately, he was convicted for his crime, setting a precedent to be remembered.
22. Bernard Kerik
Bernard Kerik, a former New York police commissioner and George W. Bush cabinet nominee, pleaded guilty in 2009 to eight felonies. His fall from grace showcased the potential legal consequences of personal misconduct, even for those in high positions.
23. Rep. Dan Rostenkowski
He faced 17 counts of corrupt activity, including the employment of 14 “ghost employees” who performed almost no work. Rostenkowski served 15 months in federal prison, emphasizing the importance of maintaining political and ethical standards.
24. Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer
He faced a major scandal in 2008 when it was revealed that he had been involved with high-end escorts. He was linked to a prostitution ring and resigned as Governor amid intense media scrutiny and legal investigations. While he was not criminally charged for his involvement, the scandal effectively derailed his political career.
25. Sen. Bob Menendez
This U.S. Senator from New Jersey faced a high-profile legal battle. He was accused of accepting gifts and campaign contributions from a wealthy donor in exchange for using his political influence to benefit the donor’s business interests. In 2017, he went to trial on bribery and corruption charges, but the case ended in a mistrial.
Souce: Washington Post, Business Insider.