Teapot Dome scandal

The Teapot Dome scandal was a major political corruption case during President Warren G. Harding’s administration in the 1920s. Interior Secretary Albert B. Fall secretly leased Navy oil reserves at Teapot Dome, Wyoming, and in California to private companies without competitive bidding, receiving bribes in return. Fall was convicted and became the first U.S. cabinet member to go to prison for actions in office. The scandal severely damaged Harding’s reputation and led Congress to strengthen its investigative powers, including the right to subpoena tax records.