Background
During the administration of President Warren G. Harding, Secretary of the Interior Albert B. Fall secretly leased federal oil reserves at Teapot Dome, Wyoming, and Elk Hills, California, to private oil companies without competitive bidding. In return, Fall received large sums of money and gifts from the companies.
Events
The scandal was uncovered by investigative journalists and Senate investigations in 1922–1923. Fall became the first U.S. Cabinet member to be convicted of a felony for actions taken in office. The scandal exposed serious corruption at the highest levels of government and created a public outcry over mismanagement of federal resources.
Impact & Legacy
The Teapot Dome Scandal undermined public trust in the Harding administration, prompted reforms in government leasing practices, and became a symbol of corruption during the early 20th century. It remains one of the most infamous examples of federal-level political corruption in U.S. history.