Knowledge Hub · 03
High-profile corruption scandals.
A reference set of the most consequential corruption scandals from 1900 to the present — each a case study in the human, institutional and economic cost of governance failure.
1920s
USA
Teapot Dome Scandal
The secret leasing of federal oil reserves at Teapot Dome, Wyoming, to private oil companies by Secretary of the Interior Albert B. Fall. Fall accepted bribes in exchange for the leases. The scandal led to his conviction and imprisonment — the first time a U.S. Cabinet official was jailed for crimes committed while in office.
1970s
USA
Watergate
The break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and the subsequent cover-up by the Nixon administration exposed widespread abuses of power, led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974 and the conviction of several administration officials.
1980s
India
Bofors Scandal
Swedish arms manufacturer Bofors AB was alleged to have paid bribes to Indian politicians and defence officials to secure a $1.4 billion Howitzer contract. The scandal implicated several high-profile figures including then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and triggered lasting political fallout.
1980s
Philippines
Imelda Marcos and the Marcos Family
The Marcos family embezzled billions of dollars from the Philippine treasury, used to fund a lavish lifestyle and hidden across overseas bank accounts. The full extent came to light after the Marcos regime was overthrown in 1986.
1990s
Italy
Tangentopoli ("Bribesville")
The Mani Pulite (Clean Hands) investigation uncovered systematic bribery and illegal political financing across Italian political parties and business leaders. The scandal led to the indictment of hundreds and reshaped the Italian political landscape.
2001
USA
Enron
Once one of the largest energy companies in the world, Enron was found to have engaged in widespread accounting fraud to hide losses and inflate profits. The collapse led to the company's bankruptcy, the dissolution of audit firm Arthur Andersen, and the conviction of senior executives.
2008
Germany
Siemens Bribery Scandal
Siemens AG was found to have engaged in systematic bribery to win contracts worldwide. The company paid over $1.6 billion in fines to U.S. and European authorities — one of the largest corporate corruption cases in history.
2010
France
Sarkozigate
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was accused of accepting illegal campaign donations from L'Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt and from Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. He was convicted of corruption and influence peddling in 2021.
2012
China
Bo Xilai
The downfall of Chinese politician Bo Xilai unfolded through bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power — including the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood by Bo's wife, Gu Kailai. Bo was sentenced to life in prison.
2012
Sweden / Uzbekistan
TeliaSonera
Swedish telecom TeliaSonera was accused of paying millions in bribes to Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of the Uzbek president, to enter the country's telecoms market. Significant fines and senior resignations followed.
2014
Brazil
Petrobras (Operation Car Wash)
Executives at Brazil's state-controlled oil company Petrobras accepted bribes from construction companies in exchange for awarding contracts at inflated prices. The scandal implicated politicians and business leaders across Latin America.
2015
Malaysia
1MDB
Billions of dollars were embezzled from Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. Former Prime Minister Najib Razak and others were implicated. The repercussions reached far beyond Malaysia.
2015
Global
FIFA Corruption
High-ranking officials of FIFA were indicted by U.S. authorities for racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering — bribery in the awarding of hosting rights, marketing and broadcasting deals. Multiple arrests and convictions followed.
2016
Latin America
Odebrecht
Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht admitted to paying approximately $788 million in bribes to politicians and officials across the region to secure contracts. Part of Operation Car Wash, it led to mass arrests and convictions across multiple countries.
2016
Global
Panama Papers
A leak of 11.5 million documents from law firm Mossack Fonseca revealed how wealthy individuals and public officials used offshore entities to evade tax and hide assets. The revelations triggered investigations, resignations and policy changes worldwide.
2019
Namibia
Fishrot
Senior Namibian officials accepted bribes in exchange for allocating lucrative fishing quotas to Icelandic companies. Leaked documents and media investigations led to the arrest of officials including former Fisheries Minister Bernhard Esau and Justice Minister Sacky Shanghala.
2018–2022
South Africa
Zondo Commission (State Capture)
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture documented in detail how private interests influenced government contracts under the Zuma administration. Its findings have driven calls for systemic reform and legal action.