Public corruption cases garner a lot of attention because they represent a true betrayal of the public’s trust. Keep reading to learn more about some of the most prominent cases in the U.S. 

Public Corruption

It is estimated that public corruption costs the U.S. government and the public billions of tax dollars each year. Not only is that detrimental to how effectively our society operates, it is catastrophic to the faith that citizens have in their government. Public corruption is the abuse of power by public officials to gain private benefits. Bribery, embezzlement, extortion, election fraud, and conspiracy are all examples of public corruption. 

When trust in elected government officials wanes, people feel like the system is working against them. This causes many to disengage from public life by not voting, making the government less representative of its people and less aware of their needs. Throughout history there have been some very high-profile cases that have changed the fabric of the United States. Although knowing the history of something is supposed to lessen the chances of it happening again, that’s not always the case. 

Historic Public Corruption Cases in the United States 

Public corruption in the United States can be traced back to when our nation was first being developed. The Yazoo land scandal of the 1790s is considered one of the first significant corruption scandals in the United States. This happened when the state legislature in Georgia allowed for large tracts of land to be sold to speculators at well below market prices. Every member of the legislature, excluding one member, were shareholders in the purchases. 

Although there was public outrage, as well as condemnation by founding fathers such as Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Wilson, and Patrick Henry, the land purchases were deemed legal by the Supreme Court. This caused an uneasiness for many and a distrust of the government during a crucial time in the evolution of our country. 

There are numerous examples of public corruption leading up to current times, but one of the most notable occurred during the late 19th Century’s Gilded Age. Politicians took bribes from corporations which allowed these corporations to avoid regulation and take advantage of public resources. Those with the most money had no rules, leading to fraud and speculation, which eventually led to the stock market crash that cost many people their entire life savings. 

There is no shortage of high-profile public corruption cases in our recent history as well. Some of the most notable include: 

• 1998: The Clinton sex scandal and impeachment. Clinton took advantage of his role as President of the United States by having an affair with an intern for his own personal gain. This led to him lying under oath about the affair and subsequently being impeached. 

• 2003-2006: The Halliburton Scandal. Former Vice President, Dick Cheney, had previously worked for Halliburton, a major oilfield services company. This relationship fast-tracked Halliburton receiving billions of dollars in government contracts to provide logistics and reconstruction services in Iraq. 

• 2012: Soft money campaign contributions. This trend began in the early 1990s and continues to be a public issue today. Soft money campaign contributions are donations made to political parties or political action committees, not individual politicians. This avoids the cap placed on how much money a candidate can attain from campaign contributions. In 2012, $7 billion was spent by candidates (a mix of soft and hard money). 

• 2023: New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez. Senator Menendez was indicted on charges accepting luxury gifts, like gold bars and luxury vehicles, in exchange for using his powerful position to benefit three businessmen, as well as the government of Egypt. 

While public corruption wastes public resources, diminishes trust in those elected to represent the people, and undermines the rule of law, it continues to happen again and again. Those accused of these actions have the right to defend themselves, albeit the court of public opinion is usually strong in these cases. 

Defending Against Public Corruption Accusations 

If you’ve been accused of public corruption, the first thing you need to do is contact a criminal defense attorney with experience in defending public corruption cases. Protecting your rights should be your priority, and a competent attorney will do that and more. The expert legal team at the Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot can help develop a defense strategy and guide you through the legal process. 

If you or someone you know is facing public corruption charges, reach out to the Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot!