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The Political Graveyard: A Database of American History
Politicians in Trouble or Disgrace

Politicians in Trouble or Disgrace: Campaign Finance
Falsifying, concealing, or misappropriating campaign money

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in chronological order

Charles E. Sapp Charles Earl Sapp (1859-1912) — also known as Charles E. Sapp — of Crescent Hill, Jefferson County, Ky.; Louisville, Jefferson County, Ky. Born in Missouri, February 15, 1859. Republican. Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kentucky, 1896, 1900; U.S. Collector of Internal Revenue for the 5th Kentucky District, 1899-1901. Republican boss of Louisville, allied with William S. Taylor; indicted, with two others, in March 1902, on federal charges of extorting payments from federal employees for political contributions; pleaded guilty in March 1903, and fined $500 plus costs. Died, from double pneumonia, in St. Louis, Mo., March 10, 1912 (age 53 years, 24 days). Interment at Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Ky.
  Relatives: Married to Nellie Williamson.
  See also Find-A-Grave memorial
  Image source: Louisville Courier-Journal, March 11, 1912
Truman H. Newberry Truman Handy Newberry (1864-1945) — also known as Truman H. Newberry — of Detroit, Wayne County, Mich.; Grosse Pointe Farms, Wayne County, Mich. Born in Detroit, Wayne County, Mich., November 5, 1864. Republican. Paymaster and agent, Detroit, Bay City and Alpena Railway, 1885-87; president and treasurer, Detroit Steel and Spring Co., 1887-1901; director, Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co.; director, Grace Hospital; alternate delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 1892; served in the U.S. Navy during the Spanish-American War; U.S. Secretary of the Navy, 1908-09; U.S. Senator from Michigan, 1919-22. Presbyterian. Tried and convicted in 1921 of overspending on his campaign (federal laws at that time set an unrealistically low limit); his conviction was reversed by Supreme Court; following an investigation, the Senate declared him entitled to his seat but expressed disapproval of the sum spent on his election; resigned under pressure. Died in Grosse Pointe, Wayne County, Mich., October 3, 1945 (age 80 years, 332 days). Interment at Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, Mich.
  Relatives: Son of John Stoughton Newberry and Helen Parmelee (Handy) Newberry; married, February 7, 1888, to Harriet Josephine Barnes; father of Carol Newberry Brooks.
  Political family: Newberry family of Detroit, Michigan.
  Cross-reference: Paul H. King
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — Wikipedia article — NNDB dossier
  Image source: American Review of Reviews, March 1922
  Harvey Parnell (1880-1936) — of Dermott, Chicot County, Ark. Born near Orlando, Cleveland County, Ark., February 28, 1880. Democrat. Member of Arkansas state house of representatives, 1919-22; member of Arkansas state senate, 1923-26; Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas, 1927-28; Governor of Arkansas, 1928-33. Southern Methodist. Member, Freemasons. In 1928, he was charged with violating the Corrupt Practices Act (early campaign finance law) by spending more than $5,000 on his campaign; the charges were later dropped. Died, following two heart attacks, in St. Vincent's Infirmary, Little Rock, Pulaski County, Ark., January 16, 1936 (age 55 years, 322 days). Interment at Roselawn Memorial Park, Little Rock, Ark.
  Cross-reference: Lamar Williamson
  See also National Governors Association biography — Wikipedia article — NNDB dossier — Find-A-Grave memorial
  Walter Ellsworth Brehm (1892-1971) — also known as Walter E. Brehm — of Logan, Hocking County, Ohio; Millersport, Fairfield County, Ohio. Born in Somerset, Perry County, Ohio, May 25, 1892. Republican. Dentist; member of Ohio state house of representatives, 1938-42; U.S. Representative from Ohio 11th District, 1943-53. Member, Grange; Freemasons; Knights Templar; Shriners; Odd Fellows; Eagles; Elks; Kiwanis; Psi Omega. Convicted in 1951 of illegally accepting campaign contributions from a clerk in his office, and fined $5,000. Died in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, August 24, 1971 (age 79 years, 91 days). Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Son of Gilbert M. Brehm and Lucy E. (Lenhart) Brehm; married, September 20, 1923, to Lucille Fountain.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page
  William Everett Adams (1922-1983) — also known as William E. Adams — of Tonawanda, Erie County, N.Y.; Kenmore, Erie County, N.Y. Born in Knightstown, Henry County, Ind., December 25, 1922. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II; lawyer; member of New York state assembly from Erie County 2nd District, 1957-64; member of New York state senate, 1966-70 (61st District 1966, 53rd District 1967-70); indicted in December 1969 on charges of lying to a grand jury when he testified that he returned a cash campaign contribution from a medical services company; tried in 1970 and found not guilty. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; American Legion; Sigma Nu; Knights of Pythias. Suffered a heart attack, and died a week later, in Albany Medical Center, Albany, Albany County, N.Y., April 14, 1983 (age 60 years, 110 days). Interment at Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, N.Y.
  Relatives: Son of William Joshua Adams and Lucy Frances (Ramsey) Adams; married to Jacquela Devlin.
  Cross-reference: James T. McFarland
  See also Find-A-Grave memorial
  Maurice Hubert Stans (1908-1998) — also known as Maurice H. Stans — of Washington, D.C. Born in Shakopee, Scott County, Minn., March 22, 1908. Accountant; U.S. Secretary of Commerce, 1969-72. Catholic. Indicted in 1973, along with John N. Mitchell, for perjury and obstruction over a contribution from fugitive financier Robert Vesco to President Richard M. Nixon's re-election campaign; tried and acquitted; later pleaded guilty to five violations of campaign finance laws and paid a fine of $5,000. Suffered a heart attack, and died five days later, at Huntington Memorial Hospital, Pasadena, Los Angeles County, Calif., April 14, 1998 (age 90 years, 23 days). Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Son of J. Hubert Stans and Mathilda (Nyssen) Stans; married, September 7, 1933, to Kathleen Carmody.
  Cross-reference: Harry L. Sears
  See also NNDB dossier
  John Newton Mitchell (1913-1988) — also known as John N. Mitchell — of New York; Washington, D.C. Born in Detroit, Wayne County, Mich., September 15, 1913. Lawyer; served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; U.S. Attorney General, 1969-72. Member, American Bar Association. A central figure in the Watergate scandal. Indicted in 1973, along with Maurice Stans, for perjury and obstruction over a contribution from fugitive financier Robert Vesco to President Richard M. Nixon's re-election campaign; tried and acquitted. Convicted in February 1975 of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and perjury, over his role in the Watergate break-in, and sentenced to two and a half to eight years in prison; served 19 months. Suffered a heart attack, and died later the same day, at George Washington University Hospital, Washington, D.C., November 9, 1988 (age 75 years, 55 days). Interment at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.
  Relatives: Son of Joseph Charles Mitchell and Margaret Agnes (McMahon) Mitchell; married to Martha Beall.
  Cross-reference: Maurice H. Stans — Harry L. Sears
  See also Wikipedia article — NNDB dossier
  Books about John Mitchell: James Rosen, The Strong Man: John Mitchell and the Secrets of Watergate
  George Bradford Cook (b. 1936) — also known as G. Bradford Cook — of Chicago, Cook County, Ill. Born in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb., 1936. Chair, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 1973; resigned under fire from the SEC, following disclosure that he had modified a commission complaint to delete references to a secret $200,000 campaign contribution to President Richard Nixon's re-election campaign from fugitive financier Robert Vesco; admitted that he testified falsely to a Senate committee and to a grand jury investigating the matter; his license to practice law in Illinois and Nebraska was suspended for three years. Still living as of 1975.
  Relatives: Son of George Brash Cook; married to Jo Anne Thatcher and Laura Armour.
  William Oswald Mills (1924-1973) — also known as William O. Mills — of Easton, Talbot County, Md. Born in Bethlehem, Caroline County, Md., August 12, 1924. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II; U.S. Representative from Maryland 1st District, 1971-73; died in office 1973; delegate to Republican National Convention from Maryland, 1972. Methodist. The Washington Post reported that his campaign was under investigation for receiving $25,000 from secret funds of President Richard Nixon's re-election committee, and failed to report the contribution as required by law; this tied him to the Watergate scandal; a day later, he killed himself, by gunshot, at his Mulberry Hill farm, Talbot County, Md., May 24, 1973 (age 48 years, 285 days). Interment at Hillcrest Cemetery, Federalsburg, Md.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — Wikipedia article — NNDB dossier
  Harry Shuler Dent (1930-2007) — also known as Harry S. Dent — of Columbia, Richland County, S.C. Born in St. Matthews, Calhoun County, S.C., February 21, 1930. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict; South Carolina Republican state chair, 1965-68; special counsel and political advisor to President Richard M. Nixon; pleaded guilty in 1974 to a federal campaign finance violation, and sentenced to one month probation. Baptist. Member, Phi Alpha Delta; Pi Kappa Alpha. Died, from complications of Alzheimer's disease, in Columbia, Richland County, S.C., September 28, 2007 (age 77 years, 219 days). Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Son of Hampton N. Dent and Sallie P. Dent; married to Betty Francis.
  See also NNDB dossier
  Nelson Gerard Gross (1932-1997) — also known as Nelson G. Gross — of Hackensack, Bergen County, N.J.; Saddle River, Bergen County, N.J. Born January 9, 1932. Republican. Lawyer; member of New Jersey state house of assembly from Bergen County, 1962-63; candidate for New Jersey state senate District 13, 1965; delegate to Republican National Convention from New Jersey, 1968; chair of Bergen County Republican Party, 1969; New Jersey Republican state chair, 1969; candidate for U.S. Senator from New Jersey, 1970; real estate developer; restaurant owner. Jewish. Indicted in May 1973 on charges of falsifying a $5,000 contribution to the 1969 campaign of Gov. William T. Cahill, conspiring to commit tax evasion by disguising the contribution as a business expense, and counseling a witness to commit perjury; convicted in March 1974, and sentenced to two years jail; served six months. Kidnapped in Edgewater, N.J., robbed of $20,000, taken to New York, and stabbed to death, in Manhattan, New York County, N.Y., September 17, 1997 (age 65 years, 251 days). Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Son of Albert Gross.
  William Brown Stansbury (1923-1985) — also known as William B. Stansbury — of Louisville, Jefferson County, Ky. Born in Corydon, Harrison County, Ind., March 18, 1923. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II; lawyer; chair of Jefferson County Democratic Party, 1968-76; mayor of Louisville, Ky., 1977-81; in 1978, during a firemen's strike, he left the city, saying that he was going to a conference in Atlanta; instead, he went to New Orleans for a tryst with his administrative assistant; the scandal led to an effort to impeach him; soon after, a city official pleaded guilty to extorting $16,000 from local businessmen; when questioned by a federal grand jury as to whether this money came to his campaign or to him personally, Stansbury refused to answer, claiming the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Member, Delta Upsilon; American Bar Association. While crossing Bardstown Road to enter St. Francis of Assisi Church, he was hit by a car, and died soon after, in Humana Hospital-University, Louisville, Jefferson County, Ky., April 4, 1985 (age 62 years, 17 days); His mother was killed in the same accident, and his wife was injured. Interment at Calvary Cemetery, Louisville, Ky.
  Relatives: Son of James Bernard Stansbury and Alliene (Brown) Stansbury; married 1983 to Mary Ellen Farmer.
  William B. Stansbury Park (established 1900, received current name 1985), in Louisville, Kentucky, is named for him.
  See also Wikipedia article
  Daniel John Flood (1903-1994) — also known as Daniel J. Flood — of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pa. Born in Hazleton, Luzerne County, Pa., November 26, 1903. Democrat. Lawyer; U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania 11th District, 1945-47, 1949-53, 1955-80; defeated, 1946, 1952. Catholic. Member, American Bar Association; Sigma Alpha Epsilon; Delta Sigma Rho; Lions; Elks; Moose; Eagles; Knights of Columbus. Charged in 1979 with taking bribes; a trial resulted in a hung jury; resigned from the House in 1980; pleaded guilty in February 1980 to a lesser charge of conspiracy to violate federal campaign finance laws, and sentenced to one year probation. Died in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pa., May 28, 1994 (age 90 years, 183 days). Interment at St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township, Luzerne County, Pa.
  Relatives: Son of Patrick F. Flood and Sarah (McCarthy) Flood.
  The Daniel J. Flood Elementary School (opened 1967), in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, is named for him.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — Find-A-Grave memorial
  Joseph R. Pisani — of New Rochelle, Westchester County, N.Y. Member of New York state assembly, 1966-72 (100th District 1966, 91st District 1967-72); member of New York state senate 36th District, 1973-84. Indicted on federal charges of tax evasion and embezzling campaign funds; convicted in 1984 on 18 of the 39 counts; the conviction was later reversed on appeal. Still living as of 1984.
  Evan Mecham (1924-2008) — of Ajo, Pima County, Ariz.; Glendale, Maricopa County, Ariz. Born in Duchesne, Duchesne County, Utah, May 12, 1924. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II; automobile dealer; newspaper publisher; candidate for Arizona state house of representatives, 1952; member of Arizona state senate, 1960-62; candidate for U.S. Senator from Arizona, 1962 (Republican), 1992 (Independent); Governor of Arizona, 1987-88; defeated, 1964, 1974, 1978, 1982. Mormon. Member, John Birch Society. Indicted in 1988 on six felony counts of perjury and filing a false campaign report, specifically of failing to report a $350,000 loan to his campaign by Barry Wolfson, a real estate developer; later acquitted of these charges. Impeached by the Arizona House of Representatives on February 5, 1988, on charges of obstructing justice and illegally lending state money to his business; convicted and removed from office by the Arizona Senate on April 4, 1988. A recall election was scheduled against him, but it was cancelled by the Arizona Supreme Court. Died, from complications of Alzheimer's disease, in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Ariz., February 22, 2008 (age 83 years, 286 days). Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married 1945 to Florence Lambert.
  See also National Governors Association biography — Wikipedia article — NNDB dossier
  James Leroy Usry (1922-2002) — also known as James L. Usry — of Atlantic City, Atlantic County, N.J. Born in Athens, Clarke County, Ga., February 2, 1922. Republican. Professional basketball player, 1946-51; mayor of Atlantic City, N.J., 1984-90; defeated, 1982; delegate to Republican National Convention from New Jersey, 1988; arrested, on July 28, 1989, along with thirteen others, and charged with bribery; he later pleaded guilty to improper reporting of campaign contributions. African ancestry. Died in Absecon, Atlantic County, N.J., February 25, 2002 (age 80 years, 23 days). Interment at Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery, Estell Manor, N.J.
  See also Wikipedia article — Find-A-Grave memorial
  Arch Alfred Moore Jr. (1923-2015) — also known as Arch A. Moore, Jr. — of Moundsville, Marshall County, W.Va.; Glen Dale, Marshall County, W.Va. Born in Moundsville, Marshall County, W.Va., April 16, 1923. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II; lawyer; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Marshall County, 1953-54; U.S. Representative from West Virginia 1st District, 1957-69; defeated, 1954; delegate to Republican National Convention from West Virginia, 1960 (alternate), 1972 (alternate), 1984 (delegation chair); member of Republican National Committee from West Virginia, 1963-73; Governor of West Virginia, 1969-77, 1985-89; defeated, 1980, 1988; candidate for U.S. Senator from West Virginia, 1978. Methodist. Member, American Bar Association; American Legion; Forty and Eight; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Moose; Eagles; Elks; Rotary; Phi Delta Phi; Beta Theta Pi. Pleaded guilty in 1990 to five felonies, over findings that he had accepted illegal contributions to his 1984 and 1988 election campaigns, had extorted over $500,000 from a coal company, and obstructed the investigation; served two years and eight months in prison. Died in Charleston, Kanawha County, W.Va., January 7, 2015 (age 91 years, 266 days). Interment at Riverview Cemetery, Moundsville, W.Va.
  Relatives: Son of Arch A. Moore and Genevieve (Jones) Moore; married, August 11, 1949, to Shelley S. Riley; father of Shelley Moore Capito.
  Cross-reference: Wade H. Ballard III
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — National Governors Association biography — Wikipedia article — NNDB dossier — Find-A-Grave memorial
  Robert Jerry Dryfoos (1942-2006) — also known as Robert J. Dryfoos — of Forest Hills, Queens, Queens County, N.Y.; Manhattan, New York County, N.Y. Born August 11, 1942. Democrat. Lawyer; delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1972, 1980, 1988; chief counsel for New York Lt. Gov. Mary Ann Krupsak, 1975; member, New York City Council, 1980-91; retired from office while under investigation over alleged campaign finance and federal tax violations, but no charges were filed; lobbyist. Jewish. Member, Americans for Democratic Action; American Jewish Committee. Died, from complications of a head injury, in New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Manhattan, New York County, N.Y., March 2, 2006 (age 63 years, 203 days). Burial location unknown.
  Harold Guy Hunt (1933-2009) — also known as Guy Hunt — of Holly Pond, Cullman County, Ala. Born in Holly Pond, Cullman County, Ala., June 17, 1933. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict; Baptist minister; candidate for Alabama state senate, 1962; probate judge in Alabama, 1964-76; Governor of Alabama, 1987-93; defeated in primary, 1978. Baptist. Convicted in 1993 of misusing campaign and inaugural funds to pay personal debts, and removed from office as Governor. Died January 30, 2009 (age 75 years, 227 days). Burial location unknown.
  Cross-reference: Bill Armistead
  See also National Governors Association biography — NNDB dossier
  Carl Christopher Perkins (b. 1954) — also known as Carl C. Perkins; Chris Perkins — of Leburn, Knott County, Ky. Born in Washington, D.C., August 6, 1954. Democrat. Member of Kentucky state house of representatives, 1981-84; U.S. Representative from Kentucky 7th District, 1985-93; pleaded guilty in 1994 to bank fraud in connection with the House banking scandal; he wrote overdrafts totaling about $300,000 (covered by the House bank) and made false statements to obtain loans from commercial banks; also pleaded guilty to charges of filing false statements with the Federal Election Commission and false financial disclosure reports; sentenced to 21 months in prison; in March 2000, pleaded guilty to criminal contempt of court for lying to a federal probation officer about his income; minister. Baptist; later Presbyterian. Still living as of 2014.
  Relatives: Son of Carl Dewey Perkins.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — Wikipedia article — NNDB dossier
  Mary Rose Oakar (b. 1940) — of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; Washington, D.C. Born in Ohio, March 5, 1940. Democrat. U.S. Representative from Ohio 20th District, 1977-93; defeated, 1992; member, Rules Committee, Democratic National Convention, 2008. Female. She and two nephews were indicted in 1995 over a scheme to evade campaign finance limits and put money into her campaign under the names of fake donors; she was also charged with obtaining money through bad checks on the House bank; pleaded not guilty to seven felonies, and challenged the validity of the charges; in 1998, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor campaign finance violations. Still living as of 2014.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — NNDB dossier
  Jay C. Kim (b. 1939) — also known as Chang-Jun Kim — of Diamond Bar, Los Angeles County, Calif. Born in Seoul, South Korea, March 27, 1939. Republican. U.S. Representative from California 41st District, 1993-99; defeated in primary, 1998 (41st District), 2000 (42nd District). Methodist. Korean ancestry. Pleaded guilty in 1997 to a misdemeanor charge of accepting more than $250,000 in illegal campaign contributions; sentenced to two months of home detention. Still living as of 2014.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — Wikipedia article — NNDB dossier
  Melvin Jay Reynolds (b. 1952) — also known as Mel Reynolds — of Illinois. Born in Mound Bayou, Bolivar County, Miss., January 8, 1952. Democrat. University professor; U.S. Representative from Illinois 2nd District, 1993-95; defeated in primary, 1988, 1990; resigned 1995. Baptist. African ancestry. Convicted in 1995 on sexual misconduct and obstruction of justice charges and sentenced to five years in prison. Convicted in federal court in 1997 of 15 counts of bank fraud, wire fraud, and lying to the Federal Election Commission; sentenced to 78 more months in prison. Still living as of 2014.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — NNDB dossier
  Charles Quackenbush (b. 1954) — also known as Chuck Quackenbush — Born in 1954. Republican. Member of California state assembly 22nd District, 1986-94; California insurance commissioner, 1995-2000; resigned 2000; news media in 2000 reported that he had received large campaign contributions from the insurance companies his office regulated; rather than fine companies who underpaid claims following the 1994 Northridge earthquake, he persuaded them to donate to an "educational fund" which promoted his own political ambitions; under threat of impeachment and recall, he resigned, and left office in July 2000. Still living as of 2000.
  See also Wikipedia article
  Earl Frederick Hilliard (b. 1942) — also known as Earl F. Hilliard — of Birmingham, Jefferson County, Ala. Born in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Ala., April 9, 1942. Democrat. Lawyer; member of Alabama state house of representatives, 1975-81; member of Alabama state senate, 1981-93; U.S. Representative from Alabama 7th District, 1993-2003; defeated in primary, 2002; delegate to Democratic National Convention from Alabama, 1996, 2000, 2008. Baptist. African ancestry. Member, National Bar Association; Alpha Phi Alpha. Rebuked by the House Ethics Committee in June, 2001 over three campaign finance violations. Still living as of 2014.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — NNDB dossier
  Aníbal Acevedo=Vilá (b. 1962) — of San Juan, San Juan Municipio, Puerto Rico. Born in Hato Rey, San Juan Municipio, Puerto Rico, February 13, 1962. Lawyer; member of Puerto Rico House of Representatives, 1991-2001; Resident Commissioner to U.S. Congress from Puerto Rico, 2001-05; delegate to Democratic National Convention from Puerto Rico, 2004, 2008; Governor of Puerto Rico, 2005-09; defeated, 2008. In March, 2008, he was charged with 19 counts of campaign finance corruption; in August, 2008, five more counts were added; fifteen counts were dismissed in December; tried on the remaining nine charges; found not guilty in March, 2009. Still living as of 2014.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — National Governors Association biography — Wikipedia article — NNDB dossier
  Michael Francis Easley (b. 1950) — also known as Mike F. Easley — of Brunswick County, N.C. Born near Rocky Mount, Nash County, N.C., March 23, 1950. Democrat. Lawyer; candidate for U.S. Senator from North Carolina, 1990; North Carolina state attorney general, 1993-2001; Governor of North Carolina, 2001-09; delegate to Democratic National Convention from North Carolina, 2004, 2008; pleaded guilty in 2010 to failing to report a 2006 helicopter ride in his campaign finance filings. Catholic. Member, Phi Gamma Delta. Still living as of 2014.
  See also National Governors Association biography — Wikipedia article — NNDB dossier
  John Reid Edwards (b. 1953) — also known as John Edwards; Johnny Reid Edwards; "Silk Pony"; "The Breck Girl" — of North Carolina. Born in Seneca, Oconee County, S.C., June 10, 1953. Democrat. Lawyer; U.S. Senator from North Carolina, 1999-2005; delegate to Democratic National Convention from North Carolina, 2000, 2004; candidate for Democratic nomination for President, 2004, 2008; candidate for Vice President of the United States, 2004; in August 2008, he acknowledged an extramarital affair with filmmaker Rielle Hunter, though at first he denied having fathered her baby; this revelation discredited him and ended his political career. Methodist. In June, 2011, he was indicted in federal court on campaign finance charges, based on the argument that the donations he received in 2007-08 to cover up his affair were illegal contributions to his presidential campaign. Still living as of 2014.
  Relatives: Married, July 30, 1977, to Mary Elizabeth Anania.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — Wikipedia article — NNDB dossier — Internet Movie Database profile — OurCampaigns candidate detail
  Books by John Edwards: Four Trials (2003) — Our Plan for America: Stronger at Home, Respected in the World, with John Kerry (2004)
  Critical books about John Edwards: Bernard Goldberg, 100 People Who Are Screwing Up America (And Al Franken Is #37) — Andrew Young, The Politician: An Insider's Account of John Edwards's Pursuit of the Presidency and the Scandal That Brought Him Down
  Jesse Louis Jackson Jr. (b. 1965) — also known as Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. — of Chicago, Cook County, Ill. Born in Greenville, Greenville County, S.C., March 11, 1965. Democrat. Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008; speaker, 1988; U.S. Representative from Illinois 2nd District, 1995-2012; resigned 2012; investigated by federal prosecutors in 2012 over misuse of campaign funds, amounting to about $750,000 spent on personal items, such as cashmere capes and a fedora; in February 2013, following his resignation from Congress, he his wife pleaded guilty; he was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison; released in 2015. Baptist. African ancestry. Member, Omega Psi Phi. Still living as of 2021.
  Relatives: Son of Jacqueline (Brown) Jackson and Jesse Louis Jackson.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — Wikipedia article — NNDB dossier — Internet Movie Database profile
  Books by Jesse Jackson, Jr.: A More Perfect Union, with Frank E. Watkins
  Duncan Duane Hunter (b. 1976) — also known as Duncan D. Hunter — of Lakeside, San Diego County, Calif.; Alpine, San Diego County, Calif. Born in San Diego, San Diego County, Calif., December 7, 1976. Republican. Served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq; real estate developer; U.S. Representative from California, 2009-20 (52nd District 2009-13, 50th District 2013-20); resigned 2020; in 2016, he was investigated over his misuse of some $250,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses, including family travel, overseas hotel stays, and luxury clothing items; he also spent campaign funds on extramarital affairs with five women, including lobbyists and congressional staffers; in August 2018, he and his wife were indicted in federal court; both eventually pleaded guilty; he was sentenced to 11 months in prison; in December 2020, before he was scheduled to report for incarceration, he was pardoned by President Donald Trump. Still living as of 2020.
  Relatives: Son of Duncan Lee Hunter and Lynne (Layh) Hunter; married 1998 to Margaret Jankowski; grandson of Robert Olin Hunter.
  Political family: Hunter family of San Diego and Alpine, California.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — Wikipedia article — NNDB dossier — OurCampaigns candidate detail
  James J. Schmitt (b. 1958) — also known as Jim Schmitt — of Green Bay, Brown County, Wis. Born in Two Rivers, Manitowoc County, Wis., June 7, 1958. Mayor of Green Bay, Wis., 2003-19; pleaded guilty in 2016 to misdemeanor campaign finance charges; sentenced to a monetary forfeiture and community service; the city council's attempt to oust him from office as mayor failed by one vote. Catholic. Still living as of 2019.
  Relatives: Son of James Schmitt and Mary (Gleichner) Schmitt; married, May 26, 1990, to Dona Degenhardt.
  See also Wikipedia article
  Robert Julian Bentley (b. 1943) — also known as Robert J. Bentley; "The Love Gov" — of Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, Ala. Born in Columbiana, Shelby County, Ala., February 3, 1943. Republican. Physician; dermatologist; member of Alabama state house of representatives, 2003-10; delegate to Republican National Convention from Alabama, 2008; Governor of Alabama, 2011-17; resigned 2017; accused in 2016 of having an extramarital affair with Rebekah Caldwell Mason, a politcal advisor on his campaign staff; an impeachment resolution was brought; as part of an agreement with prosecutors, he pleaded guilty to two campaign finance violations, including failing to disclose a $50,000 personal loan to his campaign account; his sentence was suspended, but he was placed on probation, ordered to do community service, and fined $7,000. Still living as of 2017.
  Relatives: Son of David Harford Bentley and Mattie Boyd (Vick) Bentley.
  See also National Governors Association biography — Wikipedia article — NNDB dossier
  Stephen Ernest Stockman (b. 1956) — also known as Steve Stockman — of Beaumont, Jefferson County, Tex. Born in Bloomfield Hills, Oakland County, Mich., November 14, 1956. Republican. Accountant; U.S. Representative from Texas 9th District, 1995-97; defeated, 1992 (9th District), 1996 (9th District), 2006 (22nd District); candidate for Texas railroad commissioner, 1998; candidate for U.S. Senator from Texas, 2014; arrested in March 2017 and charged in federal court on multiple counts, including obtaining $1.25 millon under false pretenses, money laundering, making false statements to the FEC, not reporting income on his tax return; tried starting in January 2018; convicted in April of 23 felonies; sentenced to ten years in prison and ordered to pay more than $1 million restitution. Baptist. Member, National Rifle Association. Still living as of 2020.
  Relatives: Married 1988 to Patti Ferguson.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — Wikipedia article — NNDB dossier — OurCampaigns candidate detail — Encyclopedia of American Loons
  Jeff Fortenberry (b. 1960) — of Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb. Born in Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, La., December 27, 1960. Republican. Publishing executive; U.S. Representative from Nebraska 1st District, 2005-22; resigned 2022; indicted in October 2021 on charges of receiving and concealing illegal campaign contributions from a foreign national through strawmen; convicted in March 2022, and resigned from Congress. Catholic. Member, Rotary. Still living as of 2022.
  Cross-reference: Ben Sasse
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — Wikipedia article — NNDB dossier — OurCampaigns candidate detail
"Enjoy the hospitable entertainment of a political graveyard."
Henry L. Clinton, Apollo Hall, New York City, February 3, 1872
The Political Graveyard

The Political Graveyard is a web site about U.S. political history and cemeteries. Founded in 1996, it is the Internet's most comprehensive free source for American political biography, listing 320,919 politicians, living and dead.
 
  The coverage of this site includes (1) the President, Vice President, members of Congress, elected state and territorial officeholders in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories; and the chief elected official, typically the mayor, of qualifying municipalities; (2) candidates at election, including primaries, for any of the above; (3) all federal judges and all state appellate judges; (4) certain federal officials, including the federal cabinet, diplomatic chiefs of mission, consuls, U.S. district attorneys, collectors of customs and internal revenue, members of major federal commissions; and political appointee (pre-1969) postmasters of qualifying communities; (5) state and national political party officials, including delegates, alternate delegates, and other participants in national party nominating conventions; (6) Americans who served as "honorary" consuls for other nations before 1950. Note: municipalities or communities "qualify", for Political Graveyard purposes, if they have at least half a million person-years of history, inclusive of predecessor, successor, and merged entities.  
  The listings are incomplete; development of the database is a continually ongoing project.  
  Information on this page — and on all other pages of this site — is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed. Users are advised to check with other sources before relying on any information here.  
  The official URL for this page is: https://politicalgraveyard.com/trouble/campaign-finance.html.  
  Links to this or any other Political Graveyard page are welcome, but specific page addresses may sometimes change as the site develops.  
  If you are searching for a specific named individual, try the alphabetical index of politicians.  
Copyright notices: (1) Facts are not subject to copyright; see Feist v. Rural Telephone. (2) Politician portraits displayed on this site are 70-pixel-wide monochrome thumbnail images, which I believe to constitute fair use under applicable copyright law. Where possible, each image is linked to its online source. However, requests from owners of copyrighted images to delete them from this site are honored. (3) Original material, programming, selection and arrangement are © 1996-2023 Lawrence Kestenbaum. (4) This work is also licensed for free non-commercial re-use, with attribution, under a Creative Commons License.
Site information: The Political Graveyard is created and maintained by Lawrence Kestenbaum, who is solely responsible for its structure and content. — The mailing address is The Political Graveyard, P.O. Box 2563, Ann Arbor MI 48106. — This site is hosted by HDL. — The Political Graveyard opened on July 1, 1996; the last full revision was done on March 8, 2023.

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