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In a democracy, politicians are supposed to be honest servants of the people-not citizens themselves. Surely, Americans can expect the basic decency of expecting their elected officials to be honest law abiding citizens, but between travel scandals and pay-for-play donations there is little in political honesty. The public is skeptical, driven in part by high-profile allegations of people like New York U.S. Rep George Santos (defrauding the government and campaign finance violations) and New York Senator Bob Menendez (alleged to have taken bribes). Federal Investigation: New York City Mayor Eric Adams, recently indicted; Former President U.S. Donald Trump, multiple counts including interference in the elections and 34 crimes.

Other times it takes the form of an indictment, a trial, or even a conviction — and 2018's cases are just more instances in a long tradition of American politicians running afoul of the law. While no doubt an office of great power and prestige, many have found themselves on the wrong side of the law. Other prominent American politicians jailed for anything from corruption and bribery to racketeering and tax evasion include the likes of: A few worked to set their lives right following periods in jail, while others disappeared into oblivion.

Let’s Take a Look at our List of 10 American Politicians Who Have Served Time in Prison

10. John Rowland (R)–Governor of Connecticut

As Governor of Connecticut from 1995 to 2004, John Rowland was acknowledged for his charm and ability to connect with the voters, But his term was brought down in scandal, caught having received gifts from state contractors in exchange for political favors. Rowland was charged with accepting opulent holidays, costly home renovations and various benefits in exchange for steering government contracts to people who were paying Rowland the bribes.

Rowland resigned in 2004 amid escalating demands from investigators. He eventually pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and in 2005 he was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison. This ended his political career, and in 1931 he briefly re-entered public life as a radio personality.

9. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D)–U.S. Representative from Illinois

Jesse Jackson Jr. (Son of civil rights leader Rev. U.S. Representative, Illinois 1995–2012 Jesse Jackson A former Democratic rising star, he was a national figure with his comments on civil rights and healthcare. But Jackson's potentially bright political future shattered when he and his wife were convicted of spending more than $750,000 in campaign funds for their personal lavish lifestyle — indulging in forays including an array of opulent jewelry that included a Rolex watch, celebrity memorabilia and even furry capes.

Jackson pleaded guilty to wire and mail fraud in 2013 and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison. Bachman's wife, Sandra, was also charged and did time for similar offenses.After his release in 2015, Jackson has kept a relatively low profile, focusing on his mental health struggles and the rehabilitation of his public image.

8. Ray Nagin (D)–Mayor of New Orleans

Nagin was New Orleans mayor from 2002 to 2010 and became the face of the city after Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. However, his legacy will always be associated with his role in a corruption scandal that stretched across the city. Once out of office, it was disclosed that Nagin had taken cash bribes, kickbacks and free trips from contractors vying for city work in the aftermath of costly wreckage caused by Hurricane Katrina.

Thomas was convicted of corruption and sent to prison in 2014 with former Mayor Ray Nagin, who was convicted on 20 bribery-, wire fraud- and money laundering-related counts. With his conviction on a single bribery hometown, Kilpatrick became one of the more notorious Mayors in United States to go behind bars, sentenced to serve 10 years in federal prison.

7.  Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R)–U.S. Representative from California

Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, a former congressman and decorated Vietnam War veteran, represented the 50th Congressional district in California from 1991 until he resigned in late 2005 after pleading guilty to accepting more than $2.4 million in bribes from defense contractors and evading taxes. He fell from grace in his political career after taking tens of millions of dollars in bribes from defense contractors who wanted government contracts. Cunningham's extravagant expenses — including the acquisition of a luxury yacht — helped crystallize issues of political corruption.

The 2005 plea deal where Cunningham copped to tax evasion, and conspiracy to commit bribery, in a non-exclusive list. He had been sentenced to eight years in federal prison, one of the harshest sentences ever given to a sitting member of Congress. He was released in 2013, and since then Cunningham has led a mostly quiet life.

6. Kwame Kilpatrick (D)–Mayor of Detroit, Michigan

A charasmatic "hip-hop mayor" of Detroit Kwame Kilpatrick served as mayor from 2002 until he was led away in handcuffs in 2008. He was found guilty of more than 20 charges, which included racketeering, bribery and extortion. He turned his office into a money-grubbing enterprise, collecting kickbacks and shaking down enterprises to dole out city contracts.

Kilpatrick, in 2013, was sentenced want to record number for a public official: 28 years behind bars. In this vein, the case showed a city at the precipice of financial disintegration, with corruption rooted to its core. President Donald Trump commuted Kilpatrick's sentence in 2021 after he served seven years in prison.

5. William J. Jefferson (D)–U.S. Representative from Louisiana

William Jefferson served Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District from 1991 to 2009, but his political career unraveled when caught in a bribery scandal. Among the most celebrated of these was $90,000 in cash which FBI agents discovered stashed inside a freezer in Jefferson's home, money he had accepted as part of a business promotion scheme linked to Africa in return for two outstanding payments.

Jefferson, Rape, Seyton and their wives have since been indicted in the scheme and Jefferson was convicted of 11 counts of bribery, racketeering, and money laundering in 2009. He was convicted and received one of the longest prison sentences ever given to a United States politician at that time; 13 years. Jefferson has stayed under the radar since being released from prison in 2017, keeping to himself and away from politics.

4. George Ryan (R)–Governor of Illinois

In his time as the governor of Illinois from 1999 to 2003, George Ryan was responsible for making a moratorium happen on death sentences there. But he spent nearly all of his time in office under a federal investigation stemming from a scandal while he was Illinois Secretary of State. In the case of Ryan, he was implicated in a scandal that involved taking bribes for state contracts and licenses; which would ultimately lead to death when an unqualified truck driver caused a tragedy.

Ryan was convicted in 2006 on several corruption charges — racketeering and fraud. Federal prison for up to six and a half years. Since his 2013 release, Ryan has mostly stayed out of the public eye, even as his criminal case has endured as one of Illinois' most shameful political scandals.

3. Edwin Edwards (D)–Governor of Louisiana

Edwin Edwards saw his political career span roughly three decades, serving four terms as the governor of Louisiana. While he was known for his flamboyant style and political acuity, Edwards remained mired in controversy during his time in office. In 2000, he was convicted on federal counts of extortion, racketeering and fraud for soliciting millions of dollars in bribes for riverboat gambling licenses.

Edwards ended up serving eight years of a 10-year federal prison term before he was released in 2011. Edwards, rather surprisingly, remained a popular figure in Louisiana even after his conviction and gave politics another shot before retiring. He ran for Congress in 2014, but he lost. He died in 2021, a perennial reminder of Louisiana’s rich and perhaps corruptive political fabric.

2. James Traficant (D)–U.S. Representative from Ohio

James Traficant, a flamboyant and eccentric former Ohio congressman known for his bombastic manner and wild hairpiece Nov. 8 He was later indicted on bribery, racketeering and tax evasion charges. Specifically, he faced allegations of taking bribes, ordering state workers to do personal errands and not reporting income.

The jury convicted Traficant on all 10 counts of corruption, and in 2002, he was sentenced to eight years in federal prison. He was kicked out of Congress, only the 23rd representative ever to be so fully expelled. Traficant, who denied any wrongdoing and ran for Congress from his prison cell, did not take the stand in the trial but his political career was finished. He passed away in 2014.

1. Bob Ney (R)–U.S. Representative from Ohio

From 1995 until his resignation in 2006, Bob Ney was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives He was then implicated in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal, a massive U.S. corruption case that ended his political career. Including gifts, trips and campaign contributions from Abramoff to Ney in exchange for political favors. Those favors ranged from meddling in legislation to getting contracts for Abramoff's clients, essentially turning Ney into a central part of the "pay-to-play" that swirled around Abramoff.

In 2007, Ney pleaded guilty to conspiracy and making false statements. In return, he said chased bribes, booty and jet-set travel with Abramoff and should have come to accept such picture cribbing_Ex-Members of Congress. Ney’s corrupt behavior was a part of the larger corruption scandal that landed dozens of other politicians and lobbyists in prison. His career in the politics is over after 30 months when he was sentenced to federal prison.

After he was released, Ney wrote a memoir named “Sideswiped”, in which he lifted the veil on the lobbying culture in Washington and how money runs politics. He has worked as a political commentator since, but he is done in public office. The Ney case, however, remains the big example of what can happen when money and politics wind up too enmeshed.

FAQs 

What are the common scandals that American politicians have been involved in?

Ans: Many American politicians have been implicated in scandals involving bribery, fraud, corruption, and misuse of campaign funds. Notable cases include bribery and racketeering scandals involving politicians like George Ryan, Kwame Kilpatrick, and Bob Ney.

How did John Rowland’s political career end?

Ans: John Rowland, former Governor of Connecticut, resigned in 2004 after being implicated in a corruption scandal. He accepted gifts and benefits in exchange for political favors, leading to his conviction for conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and a 10-month federal prison sentence.

What was Jesse Jackson Jr. convicted for?

Ans: Jesse Jackson Jr., a former U.S. Representative, was convicted of wire and mail fraud in 2013 for using more than $750,000 in campaign funds on personal luxury items. He was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison.

What led to the conviction of New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin?

Ans: Ray Nagin, former Mayor of New Orleans, was convicted in 2014 for accepting cash bribes, kickbacks, and free trips from contractors after Hurricane Katrina. He was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for corruption charges.

Why was Bob Ney sentenced to prison?

Ans: Bob Ney, a former U.S. Representative from Ohio, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison in 2007 for his involvement in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal. He accepted gifts and contributions in exchange for political favors.