The Effects of Politics and Polarization on the Punishment of Crimes by U.S. Federal Legislators

• In Event: State and Federal Responses to Crime

Abstract

Public distrust of government has increased because of the criminal behavior of federal legislators over time, due, at least in part, to the polarization in Congress (which causes excessive in-fighting and a lack of legislative production), and therefore it is critical to study how Congress deals with the corruption of its members. This study examines the punishment of U.S. federal legislators for criminal corruption in the contexts of time, party, tenure and polarization. The negative effects of these crimes are harmful to the institution of Congress and such crime damages the credibility of government. This mixed-method study examines 158 cases of criminally accused federal legislators, and while small in number the effects of these cases loom large on the political landscape and are important to criminal justice research. Most were indicted, convicted and punished, and Congress needs to formulate policies that address the illicit behaviors of those members who engaged in crime in order to protect the institution of Congress and to ensure a sense of justice.

Author

• Kenneth James Grossberger, The Graduate Center, John Jay College / CUNY