Presidential Payola: The True Stories of Monetary Scandals in the Oval Office that Robbed Taxpayers to Grease Palms, Stuff Pockets, and Pay for Undue Influence from Teapot Dome to Halliburton

by Thomas J. Craughwell

Presidents with little oversight short of checks and balances have abused funding, misdirected money, misused personal funds, and misappropriated tax payer contributions for personal gain. This history of presidential monetary abuse details the biggest, often blatant, abuses of power where political influence was bought and sold, lucrative contract handed out to friends and political support is up for purchase. The tales are shocking examples of the oval office politicking gone wild and the damage it has done to the credibility of presidents. It also reveals, with more than 40 archival images, the sheer volume of tax payer money that goes awry for politicians’ personal gain with the presidential stamp on it or simply a purposeful presidential oversight.

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Examines corruption surrounding U.S. presidents or vice-presidents while in office. Looked at are Lincoln, Grant, Harding, Nixon, Kennedy, Reagan, Clinton, and Cheney. The corruption usually centers around family members or close friends. The lack examination of an administration does not mean that corruption did not exist. The deals surrounding the Affordable Care Act of Obama and his bailouts were not examined due to the publication date of the book.