Teapot Dome scandal

A 1920s corruption scandal in which Interior Secretary Albert B. Fall secretly leased federal oil reserves to private companies in exchange for bribes.

United States Navy oil reserves: Federal oil fields set aside to supply the United States Navy in emergencies. The protected reserves Fall transferred from Navy to Interior Department control.
Albert B. Fall: A New Mexico politician who served as U.S. secretary of the interior from 1921 to 1923. He arranged the leases and accepted payments from the companies that received them.
Secret oil lease: A contract granting a company rights to extract oil without public disclosure of its terms or selection process. Fall used secret leases rather than competitive bidding to grant access to the reserves.
Albert B. Fall bribery conviction: Fall’s 1929 federal conviction for accepting a bribe while serving as secretary of the interior. It made Fall the first former U.S. cabinet member imprisoned for crimes committed in office.
Warren G. Harding: The 29th president of the United States, serving from 1921 until his death in 1923. His administration gave Fall the authority used to arrange the secret leases.
Harry F. Sinclair: An American oil magnate who founded Sinclair Oil Corporation. His company obtained the Teapot Dome lease, and he gave Fall money and other benefits.
Bribery: The offering or receiving of something valuable to influence a public or official decision. Payments and gifts to Fall formed the corrupt exchange at the center of the case.
Federal oil reserve policy: Government rules governing the preservation and use of federally owned petroleum reserves. The leases prompted scrutiny of how agencies controlled reserves intended for national defense.
Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 3: A federal oil reserve near Teapot Dome in Wyoming, set aside for naval use. Its lease to Harry Sinclair’s company gave the scandal its name.
Edward L. Doheny: An American oil businessman who founded Pan American Petroleum and Transport Company. His company secured the Elk Hills lease, and he made a loan to Fall.

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