!0 American Politicians Who Have Served Time in Prison

In a democracy, politicians are expected to serve with integrity, putting public welfare ahead of personal gain. Americans should be able to trust that their elected officials will uphold the law, but recent scandals have made that trust difficult to maintain. High-profile cases like New York U.S. Representative George Santos, who has been charged with fraud and campaign finance violations, and New York Senator Bob Menendez, indicted and convicted for accepting bribes, have fueled public skepticism. Even New York City Mayor Eric Adams is under federal investigation and has been recently indicted, while former U.S. President Donald Trump faced multiple indictments, including charges related to election interference, and has been found guilty of 34 felonies.

These cases are part of a long tradition of American politicians being indicted, tried, and even convicted for criminal behavior. Despite the power and prestige that comes with political office, many have found themselves on the wrong side of the law. Here’s a list of other notable American politicians who have landed in prison for a range of crimes—from corruption and bribery to racketeering and tax evasion. Some sought redemption after serving their time, while others faded into obscurity.

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10 John Rowland (R)–Governor of Connecticut

John Rowland served as Governor of Connecticut from 1995 to 2004, earning a reputation for his charm and ability to connect with voters. However, his tenure ended in disgrace when it was revealed that he had accepted gifts from state contractors in exchange for political favors. Rowland was accused of receiving lavish vacations, home renovations, and other perks in exchange for steering government contracts toward those who had contributed to his personal gain.

In 2004, Rowland resigned amid mounting pressure from investigators. He later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and in 2005, he was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison. His political career was effectively over, though he made a brief return to the public eye as a radio host. In 2014, Rowland was convicted again for campaign finance violations, further tarnishing his legacy.^[1]

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

Jesse Jackson Jr., son of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, served as a U.S. Representative from Illinois from 1995 until his resignation in 2012. He was once considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, known for his advocacy on civil rights and healthcare. However, Jackson’s promising political career came crashing down when he was found guilty of using campaign funds for personal luxuries, including expensive jewelry, celebrity memorabilia, and even fur capes.

In 2013, Jackson pleaded guilty to wire and mail fraud and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison. His wife, Sandra, also faced charges and served time for related crimes. 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.^[2]

8 Ray Nagin (D)–Mayor of New Orleans

Ray Nagin served as the mayor of New Orleans from 2002 to 2010, gaining national recognition for his leadership during Hurricane Katrina. However, Nagin’s legacy was forever marred by his involvement in a wide-reaching corruption scandal. After leaving office, it was revealed that Nagin had accepted bribes, kickbacks, and gratuities from contractors seeking city business during the post-Katrina rebuilding process.

In 2014, Nagin was convicted on 20 counts of bribery, wire fraud, and money laundering. He was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, making him one of the highest-profile mayors in U.S. history to serve time. Nagin’s downfall was a major blow to New Orleans, a city already struggling to rebuild from disaster. After his release in 2020, Nagin has largely retreated from the public eye.^[3]

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

Randy “Duke” Cunningham, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, represented California’s 50th Congressional District from 1991 to 2005. His political career ended in scandal when it was discovered that he had accepted millions of dollars in bribes from defense contractors in exchange for steering government contracts their way. Cunningham’s lavish lifestyle—including the purchase of a luxury yacht—became emblematic of political corruption.

In 2005, Cunningham pleaded guilty to tax evasion and conspiracy to commit bribery, among other charges. He was sentenced to eight years in federal prison, one of the harshest sentences ever handed down to a sitting member of Congress. After serving his time, Cunningham was released in 2013 and has since lived a quiet, private life.^[4]

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

Kwame Kilpatrick was once hailed as the charismatic “hip-hop mayor” of Detroit, but his tenure as mayor from 2002 to 2008 ended in disgrace. Kilpatrick was convicted of multiple charges, including racketeering, bribery, and extortion. He used his office to enrich himself and his associates, accepting kickbacks and extorting businesses in exchange for city contracts.

In 2013, Kilpatrick was sentenced to 28 years in prison, one of the longest sentences ever for a public official. The case highlighted the deep corruption within Detroit’s city government at a time when the city was facing economic collapse. Kilpatrick’s sentence was commuted by President Donald Trump in 2021 after he had served seven years in prison.^[5]

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

William Jefferson represented Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District from 1991 to 2009, but his political career took a nosedive when he was caught in a bribery scandal. In a now infamous discovery, FBI agents found $90,000 in cash hidden in Jefferson’s freezer—money he had accepted as part of a scheme to promote business deals in Africa in exchange for kickbacks.

In 2009, Jefferson was convicted on 11 counts of bribery, racketeering, and money laundering. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison, one of the longest sentences for a U.S. politician at the time. After his release in 2017, Jefferson has maintained a low profile, far removed from the political sphere.^[6]

4 George Ryan (R)–Governor of Illinois

George Ryan served as Illinois’s governor from 1999 to 2003 and was praised for his decision to place a moratorium on the death penalty. However, his political career was overshadowed by a federal investigation into a scandal dating back to his time as Illinois Secretary of State. Ryan was accused of accepting bribes in exchange for state contracts and licenses, a practice that had fatal consequences when an unqualified truck driver caused a tragic accident.

In 2006, Ryan was convicted on multiple counts of corruption, including racketeering and fraud. He was sentenced to six and a half years in federal prison. After his release in 2013, Ryan has largely faded from public life, though his criminal case remains one of Illinois’s most infamous political scandals.^[7]

3 Edwin Edwards (D)–Governor of Louisiana

Edwin Edwards served four terms as the governor of Louisiana, with a political career spanning three decades. Known for his flamboyant style and political savvy, Edwards was nonetheless embroiled in controversy throughout his tenure. In 2000, he was convicted on charges of extortion, racketeering, and fraud for taking bribes in exchange for riverboat gambling licenses.

Edwards was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, serving eight before being released in 2011. Remarkably, Edwards remained a popular figure in Louisiana even after his conviction and briefly attempted a political comeback. In 2014, he ran for Congress but was unsuccessful. He passed away in 2021, remembered as one of Louisiana’s most colorful and controversial political figures.^[8]

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

James Traficant, known for his bombastic personality and unorthodox style, represented Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1985 to 2002. Traficant was indicted on charges of bribery, racketeering, and tax evasion. He was accused of accepting bribes, using his staff to perform personal chores, and failing to report income.

In 2002, Traficant was convicted on 10 counts of corruption and sentenced to eight years in federal prison. He was expelled from Congress, one of the few members to face such an action. Traficant maintained his innocence throughout and even ran for Congress from prison, but his political career was over. He passed away in 2014.^[9]

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

Bob Ney served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 until his resignation in 2006. His political career came to an abrupt end when he was implicated in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal, one of the largest corruption cases in U.S. history. Ney was accused of accepting gifts, trips, and campaign contributions from Abramoff in exchange for political favors. These favors included influencing legislation and securing contracts for Abramoff’s clients, effectively making Ney a key figure in the “pay-to-play” culture that surrounded Abramoff.

In 2007, Ney pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and making false statements. He admitted to accepting bribes, gifts, and lavish trips from Abramoff while serving in Congress. Ney’s actions contributed to the broader corruption scandal that brought down numerous other political figures and lobbyists. He was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, marking the end of his political career.

After his release, Ney penned a memoir titled Sideswiped, where he exposed further details of the lobbying culture in Washington and the corrupting influence of money in politics. Though he has since worked as a political commentator, his time in public office is over. Ney’s case remains a significant example of the ethical violations that can occur when money and politics become too intertwined.^[10]

+ Bonus: Rod Blagojevich (D)–Governor of Illinois

Rod Blagojevich served as the governor of Illinois from 2003 until his impeachment in 2009. His downfall was one of the most infamous political scandals in recent memory. Blagojevich was arrested in 2008 on federal corruption charges, most notably for attempting to “sell” the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama after his election to the presidency. Wiretaps revealed Blagojevich discussing how he could benefit personally from appointing someone to the vacant seat, famously referring to the opportunity as “f***ing golden.”

Blagojevich’s arrest shocked the nation and led to his impeachment by the Illinois House and removal from office by the Illinois Senate in 2009. He was convicted in 2011 on 17 charges of corruption, including bribery and extortion. Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, making him one of the most high-profile governors to ever serve time for corruption.

In a surprising turn, President Donald Trump commuted Blagojevich’s sentence in 2020 after he had served nearly eight years. Since his release, Blagojevich has made numerous media appearances, expressing gratitude for the commutation but maintaining that his prosecution was politically motivated. While his attempts to rehabilitate his image continue, his political career is permanently tarnished.^[10]

fact checked by
Darci Heikkinen