Political Scandals

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Scandal 32: George Ryan Mar 31, 2020

Show notes

In a state known for high-profile corruption, Illinois Secretary of State George Ryan was no exception. His corruption would help out his family, his buddies...and ultimately let innocent citizens die, thanks to dangerous forged licenses distributed around the state in the 1990s.

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Scandal 33: “Bathhouse” & “Hinky Dink” Mar 24, 2020

Show notes

In the early 1900s, “Bathhouse John” Coughlin and Michael “Hinky Dink” Kenna set about rigging the city's political machine in their favor, contributing to the rise of organized crime in Chicago, and putting their careers on a collision course with the law.

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Scandal 34: The Blackmail of Lester Hunt Mar 17, 2020

Show notes

In the 1950s, at the height of Communist paranoia, Republican Senators Styles Bridges and Joe Welker went after Democratic Senator Lester Hunt in an attempt to blackmail him into giving up his coveted seat in Congress.

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Scandal 35: Grover Cleveland’s Secret Son Mar 10, 2020

Show notes

President Grover Cleveland is often remembered for his mustache, or perhaps his anti-corruption agenda. Fewer people know about the son he fathered through sexual assault—and the ensuing scandal that threatened his election to the White House.

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Scandal 36: Carroll Hubbard Mar 03, 2020

Show notes

The 1991 House baking scandal may have rocked Capitol Hill, but it was proved to be the tip of the iceberg for Kentucky Democratic Representative Caroll Hubbard. He was found guilty of siphoning his Congressional funds for a variety of inappropriate uses, including his wife's own campaign for Congress.

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Scandal 37: Billygate Feb 25, 2020

Show notes

As Jimmy Carter’s younger brother, Billy Carter was no stranger to national attention or public scrutiny. Being next of kin to the President let him establish himself as a celebrity in his own right. But in the months leading up to the 1980 presidential election, it would become clear that Billy had been up to far more serious business. He had been making international trips and deals that could ruin his brother’s reelection.

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Scandal 38: Whiskey Ring Feb 18, 2020

Show notes

Under President Ulysses S. Grant, John MacDonald created one of the most lucrative scams ever to grace the spirits business, leading to a trial that had the President himself doing the unheard of: testifying as a witness on behalf of the defendant.

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Scandal 39: The Kansas Territorial Election Feb 11, 2020

Show notes

In the years before the American Civil War, the territory of Kansas was fraught with conflict between abolitionist Free Soilers and Pro-slavery Southerners. Statehood for Kansas hung in the balance of one election dictating which party would lead the local government in its quest for the Union.

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Scandal 40: The Eagleton Affair Feb 04, 2020

Show notes

On the surface, Tom Eagleton seemed the ideal running mate for George McGovern’s 1972 presidential campaign. But upon closer examination, there were odd details about Eagleton—details that contributed to one of the worst presidential election defeats in history.

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Scandal 41: James Traficant Jan 28, 2020

Show notes

He was one of the strangest, most colorful men to ever tread the House of Representatives. After successfully defending himself against a racketeering charge in the early 1980s, James Traficant knew the FBI would stay close—looking for any opportunity to take him down.

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