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Political Hall of Shame

So many political scandals, so hard to keep track. Here are some of the most memorable of the past decade.

Rep. Chris Lee of New York, shown at an election night victory rally, resigned abruptly Feb. 9, 2011, hours after the Web site Gawker reported that the married Republican had allegedly sent flirtatious e-mail messages and a shirtless photo of himself to a woman he met online.

Rep. Chris Lee of New York, shown at an election night victory rally, resigned abruptly Feb. 9, 2011, hours after the Web site Gawker reported that the married Republican had allegedly sent flirtatious e-mail messages and a shirtless photo of himself to a woman he met online.

Derek Gee-Associated Press

Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.) was found guilty by the House ethics committee of 11 violations of House rules. On Dec. 2, 2010, he became the first House member to be recommended for censure in nearly three decades. Censure, which is just below expulsion, is the second most serious punishment the House can impose on a member.

Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.) was found guilty by the House ethics committee of 11 violations of House rules. On Dec. 2, 2010, he became the first House member to be recommended for censure in nearly three decades. Censure, which is just below expulsion, is the second most serious punishment the House can impose on a member.

Win Mcnamee-Getty Images

After former Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) was caught with $90,000 cash in his freezer in 2005, he was convicted on bribery and money laundering charges. In 2009, Jefferson received a 13-year sentence in what the federal prosecutor called "the most extensive and pervasive pattern of corruption in the history of Congress."

After former Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) was caught with $90,000 cash in his freezer in 2005, he was convicted on bribery and money laundering charges. In 2009, Jefferson received a 13-year sentence in what the federal prosecutor called "the most extensive and pervasive pattern of corruption in the history of Congress."

Molly Riley-REUTERS

Uber-lobbyist Jack Abramoff's name became synonymous with Washington corruption when he was convicted in 2006 of fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy charges related to a scheme to bilk Indian tribes. The scandal brought an end to the careers of several high-profile Republicans, most notably those of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) and Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio).

Gerald Herbert-AP

Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.) was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2006 after pleading guilty to accepting $2.4 million in bribes -- and a yacht to live on -- from a defense contractor.

Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.) was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2006 after pleading guilty to accepting $2.4 million in bribes -- and a yacht to live on -- from a defense contractor.

Sandy Huffaker-Getty Images

Just one month after the 2008 presidential election, the political world was stunned when federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald arrested then-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich for allegedly attempting to sell then-President-elect Obama's Senate seat. Blagojevich was charged with 24 counts, but in August 2010, a jury found him guilty of just one -- lying to federal investigators.

Just one month after the 2008 presidential election, the political world was stunned when federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald arrested then-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich for allegedly attempting to sell then-President-elect Obama's Senate seat. Blagojevich was charged with 24 counts, but in August 2010, a jury found him guilty of just one -- lying to federal investigators.

Kiichiro Sato-AP

John Edwards was considered a leading contender for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination -- until the National Enquirer caught him meeting with his mistress and her young child in a Los Angeles hotel. Edwards admitted in August 2008 to having an affair with campaign aide Rielle Hunter , but he denied being the baby's father. In 2010, the former senator confessed that the child is indeed his.

John Edwards was considered a leading contender for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination -- until the National Enquirer caught him meeting with his mistress and her young child in a Los Angeles hotel. Edwards admitted in August 2008 to having an affair with campaign aide Rielle Hunter , but he denied being the baby's father. In 2010, the former senator confessed that the child is indeed his.

Meena A. Hartenstein-ABC

Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) became a household name in 2007 when he was arrested in a Minneapolis airport men's room for allegedly soliciting sex. Police accused Craig of using a foot gesture to signal his desire, which Craig famously later attributed to having a "wide stance." Craig, who had a long history of opposing gay rights, denied being gay and pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct. He later attempted to withdraw his plea, but the request was denied. Craig ultimately left office in 2009.

Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) became a household name in 2007 when he was arrested in a Minneapolis airport men's room for allegedly soliciting sex. Police accused Craig of using a foot gesture to signal his desire, which Craig famously later attributed to having a "wide stance." Craig, who had a long history of opposing gay rights, denied being gay and pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct. He later attempted to withdraw his plea, but the request was denied. Craig ultimately left office in 2009.

Melina Mara/twp-TWP

After Sen. David Vitter's (R-La.) phone number turned up in the "D.C. madam" Deborah Jeane Palfrey's records in 2007, Vitter admitted he had committed "a very serious sin," but did not elaborate. No charges were ever brought, and Vitter's political career seems barely dented by the scandal.

After Sen. David Vitter's (R-La.) phone number turned up in the "D.C. madam" Deborah Jeane Palfrey's records in 2007, Vitter admitted he had committed "a very serious sin," but did not elaborate. No charges were ever brought, and Vitter's political career seems barely dented by the scandal.

Harry Hamburg-AP

When Hill intern Chandra Levy disappeared in 2001, Washington began to whisper about the possible involvement of seven-term Rep. Gary Condit (D-Calif.). While he was never named a suspect by police, it became known that Condit had been romantically involved with the intern and Condit lost his bid for reelection in 2002. in 2009, police charged an illegal immigrant with Levy's killing. The case goes to trial in October.

When Hill intern Chandra Levy disappeared in 2001, Washington began to whisper about the possible involvement of seven-term Rep. Gary Condit (D-Calif.). While he was never named a suspect by police, it became known that Condit had been romantically involved with the intern and Condit lost his bid for reelection in 2002. in 2009, police charged an illegal immigrant with Levy's killing. The case goes to trial in October.

Ho-REUTERS

Amid reports that he had sexually harassed members of his staff, one-term Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) abruptly announced in March 2010 that he would not seek reelection, citing a recurrence of cancer. Within days, Massa announced his immediate resignation. The Post then reported that Massa was being investigated for groping male aides in his office.

Amid reports that he had sexually harassed members of his staff, one-term Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) abruptly announced in March 2010 that he would not seek reelection, citing a recurrence of cancer. Within days, Massa announced his immediate resignation. The Post then reported that Massa was being investigated for groping male aides in his office.

Chip Somodevilla-Getty Images

In 2008, Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) acknowledged having an affair with a campaign staff member who is also the wife one of his top aides, Douglas Hampton. In subsequent months, it was reported that Ensign helped Hampton find work with Ensign's political supporters, and Ensign's parents made a $96,000 payment to Hampton's wife and her family. The Senate Ethics Committee and the Justice Department are currently investigating.

In 2008, Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) acknowledged having an affair with a campaign staff member who is also the wife one of his top aides, Douglas Hampton. In subsequent months, it was reported that Ensign helped Hampton find work with Ensign's political supporters, and Ensign's parents made a $96,000 payment to Hampton's wife and her family. The Senate Ethics Committee and the Justice Department are currently investigating.

Isaac Brekken-AP

In May 2010, Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) announced his resignation after a staff member accused him of carrying on an affair with a part-time aide. Souder, who was well-known for his support of traditional family values, acknowledged he had a romantic relationship with the aide, with whom he had recorded a video advocating sexual abstinence before marriage.

In May 2010, Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) announced his resignation after a staff member accused him of carrying on an affair with a part-time aide. Souder, who was well-known for his support of traditional family values, acknowledged he had a romantic relationship with the aide, with whom he had recorded a video advocating sexual abstinence before marriage.

Alex Brandon-AP

Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) resigned in September 2006, just more than a month before the midterm elections, in the wake of questions about explicit e-mails he wrote a former teenage male page. As the scandal unfolded, more pages came forward. No charges were filed, but the controversy is cited as a contributing factor in the GOP's loss of control of both Houses of Congress that year.

Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) resigned in September 2006, just more than a month before the midterm elections, in the wake of questions about explicit e-mails he wrote a former teenage male page. As the scandal unfolded, more pages came forward. No charges were filed, but the controversy is cited as a contributing factor in the GOP's loss of control of both Houses of Congress that year.

Ben Smidt-AP

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This Story Republican Sen. John Ensign of Nevada won't seek reelection Article \| Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) will not seek reelection in 2012, bringing to an end a tumultuous several years following an extramarital affair with a former staff member. Senate ethics panel appoints special counsel to investigate Ensign Justice Department stops investigating John Ensign Political Hall of Shame		Network News X Profile View More Activity TOOLBOX E-Mail This Reprints		More on washingtonpost.com • More Photo News » washingtonpost.com
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