Historical Examples of Political Corruption

Caligula was notorious for his extravagance and corruption, including building a floating bridge across the Bay of Baiae and constructing a palace on the Palatine Hill that was larger than the city of Rome.

The Walpole Scandal involved the sale of public offices by Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister of Great Britain, in exchange for bribes and favors.

Richard Nixon was impeached by the House of Representatives in 1974 for his role in the Watergate scandal, but he resigned before he could be convicted by the Senate.

The Oil-for-Food Scandal involved the illegal diversion of funds from the Iraqi Oil-for-Food Programme by Saddam Hussein's regime and various companies and individuals.

Silvio Berlusconi was convicted of corruption and sentenced to 26 years in prison in 2013, but the sentence was later overturned on appeal.

The Watergate Scandal involved the illegal wiretapping of the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., by operatives of the Nixon administration.

Jacques Chirac was convicted of corruption and sentenced to two years in prison in 2011 for his role in a slush fund scandal while he was mayor of Paris.

The Iran-Contra Affair involved the illegal sale of arms to Iran by the Reagan administration in exchange for the release of American hostages held in Lebanon.

Fernando Collor de Mello was impeached for corruption and obstruction of justice in 1992, becoming the first Brazilian president to be removed from office.

The Oil-for-Food Scandal involved the illegal diversion of funds from the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme by Saddam Hussein's regime and various companies and individuals.

Roh Tae-woo was impeached for corruption and bribery in 1993, becoming the first South Korean president to be removed from office.

The Watergate Scandal involved the illegal wiretapping of the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., by operatives of the Nixon administration.

Silvio Berlusconi was convicted of corruption and sentenced to 26 years in prison in 2013, but the sentence was later overturned on appeal.

The Oil-for-Food Scandal involved the illegal diversion of funds from the Iraqi Oil-for-Food Programme by Saddam Hussein's regime and various companies and individuals.

Jacques Chirac was convicted of corruption and sentenced to two years in prison in 2011 for his role in a slush fund scandal while he was mayor of Paris.