Political scandal has seemed to be prevalent in our government since the beginning of our country. Many have been just speculation and others have been genuine. The most famous without dispute was the Watergate Scandal. Watergate included numerous illegal activities such as: burglary, sabotage, wire tapping, violations of campaign funding laws, and attempts to use government agencies to hurt political opponents. Along with the other illegal acts there also was a cover up of conduct. All of these acts were carried out to insure the reelection of President Richard Nixon in 1972. In the end a near 40 individuals were charged with crimes in the scandal, as well as, related crimes. Virtually all of individuals were convicted by juries or pled guilty to their crimes. .

             What made Watergate so severe, yet interesting, was that it involved more top-level government officials than any prior scandal. The scandal led to the conviction of former Attorney General John Mitchell and two of Nixon"s top aides, John Erlichmen and H.R. Hasdeman, in 1975. Former Secretary of Commerce Maurice H. Stans, the leader of Nixon"s reelection campaign pled guilty to criminal charges and was fined $5000. Watergate also resulted in the resignation of Attorney General Richard Kleindienst, in 1973.

             The Beginning .

             It all began in 1969, when the White House staff composed a list of people considered to be enemies of the President. This so-called "list of enemies" was kept of individuals the President"s staff wanted retribution on. Nixon"s adversaries who included 200 liberal politicians, journalists, and actors were considered to be dangerous to the reelection campaign and his standing with American voters. When individuals spoke out against Nixon and Vietnam, his agents would find out secret information about those individuals that could harm their image.

             The Nixon campaign routinely engaged in unethical practices and politics, as well as, "dirty tricks".