List of American public officials convicted of crimes

This is an alphabetical-by-branch list of American public officials convicted of crimes or misdemeanors.
White House and Executive Branch
*Elliott Abrams (R) - during Iran-Contra, pled guilty on two counts of unlawfully withholding information, pardoned. Deputy National Security Advisor to George W. Bush.
*Albert B. Fall (R) - Convicted for role in the Teapot Dome scandal becoming the first former cabinet officer sentenced to prison as a result of misconduct in office.
*John N. Mitchell (R), 67th United States Attorney General (1969 - 1972), - found guilty, on February 21, 1975, of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and perjury and sentenced to two and a half to eight years in prison for his role in the Watergate break-in and cover-up.
*John Poindexter (R) - during Iran Contra, convicted of multiple felony counts for conspiracy, obstruction of justice, lying to Congress, defrauding the government, and the alteration and destruction of evidence, convictions reversed.
Congress and Legislative Branch
House of Representatives
*Duke Cunningham (R-CA)- pled guilty to tax evasion, conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud, and wire fraud.
*Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) - pled guilty to a charge of driving under the influence of prescription drugs. Two of the three charges (reckless driving and failure to exhibit a driving permit) were dismissed.
*Bob Ney (R-OH) - pled guilty to involvement with Jack Abramoff scandal.
*Jim Traficant (D-OH) financial corruption conviction and expulsion from House (2002)
*Boss Tweed (D-NY) - tried in 1874 on charges of official embezzlement, found guilty, and sentenced to twelve years' imprisonment.
Senate
*Spiro Agnew (R), 39th Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate (January 20, 1969 - October 10, 1973) - resigned and then plead nolo contendere (no contest) to criminal charges of tax evasion and money laundering, part of a negotiated resolution to a scheme wherein he accepted $29,500 in bribes during his tenure as county executive and governor of Maryland.
*Ted Kennedy (D-MA) - pled guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, in 1969, causing injury (the Chappaquiddick incident); received suspended sentence.
Judiciary
*Walter Nixon, Federal District Judge, chief judge of Mississippi's Southern District, - sentenced, on April 1, 1986, to five years in prison for perjury.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu