Grifters, Frauds, and Crooks - True Stories of American Corruption (Hardcover)

Power corrupts! So does money ... and sex ... and money ... and, well, power. Corruption has its tentacles throughout all aspects of American life. Investigate 100 of the biggest and most brazen frauds, cons, and lies! From Wall Street to Main Street, from the Capitol to the military, and from sport to science, Grifters, Frauds, and Crooks: True Stories of American Corruption examines both famous and obscure swindles and con artists in science, art, entertainment, healthcare, the military, politics, law enforcement, religion, education, finance, and throughout society, including ... Bernie Madoff/Ponzi Schemes (business) Big Pharma (business/politics/medical) Black Sox baseball scandal (sports) The Catholic Church (religious) Chappaquiddick\Kennedy family (politics) Clinton/Lewinsky (politics) College admissions scandals (education) Corruption in the White House (politics/media/business) Enron (business) General David Petraeus (military) Harvey Weinstein/Miramax (entertainment/media) Iran/Contra (politics/media) J. Edgar Hoover (organized crime/politics) Jim and Tammy Bakker (religious) Jimmy Hoffa (union/organized crime/business) Lance Armstrong doping scandal (sports) Lehman Brothers bank collapse (business) The Mafia (organized crime) Navy/USMC Tailhook scandal (military) NYPD corruption (law enforcement/politics) Operation ABSCAM (organized crime/law enforcement) Pacific Gas/Electric/Erin Brockovich (business) Sackler Family narcotic empire (medical/business) Serpico (law enforcement) Spiro Agnew (politics) Watergate (politics/media) And many more dishonest and duplicitous people and organizations!! With more than 120 photos and graphics, Grifters, Frauds, and Crooks is richly illustrated. Its helpful bibliography and extensive index add to its usefulness. Most people are honest and helpful to others, but a select few use their positions of power and influence to enrich themselves. These swindlers have no problem cheating, double-crossing, stealing, and playing on people's trust. It's chilling to realize the long, sordid history and ongoing influence of cons, scams, and shady deals in America!