The Teapot Dome Scandal

The Teapot Dome scandal emerged as a significant event in 1924, capturing national attention much like Watergate would decades later. Central to this scandal was Albert Fall, the Interior Secretary under President Warren Harding, who accepted bribes to lease federal oil reserves in Wyoming to private oil companies. The situation escalated as investigative committees unfolded the layers of corruption surrounding the scandal, revealing that Fall had facilitated deals in exchange for personal gains, including funds to buy a dream ranch. As investigations progressed, it became clear that the scandal was symptomatic of deeper issues within the Harding administration, contributing to a wider sense of distrust in government.