Ohio Gang

Ohio Gang

Warren G. Harding and his cabinet (1921).
Founded	1886 (1886)
Founder	Joseph B. Foraker
Founding location	Ohio
Years active	1886–1924
Territory	Based in Ohio, active at national level
Ethnicity	American
Membership	More than 10
Leader(s)	Joseph B. Foraker Warren G. Harding Harry M. Daugherty
Criminal activities	Patronage, political corruption, bootlegging

The Ohio Gang was a gang of politicians and industry leaders closely surrounding Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States of America. Many of these individuals came into Harding's personal orbit during his tenure as a state-level politician in Ohio, hence the name.

During the Harding administration, several members of the Ohio Gang became involved in financial scandals. These included the Teapot Dome scandal and apparent malfeasance at the U.S. Department of Justice, many of which ended in prison terms and suicides. Following Harding's sudden death of a heart attack in 1923, many members of the Ohio Gang were effectively removed from the corridors of power by Harding's Vice President and successor, Calvin Coolidge.

Warren G. Harding was elected President by promising to return the nation to "normalcy,” and opposing the idealism of his predecessor Woodrow Wilson. He captured 60% of American's votes and won by a landslide. After Harding had won the election, he appointed many of his allies and campaign contributors to powerful political positions in control of vast amounts of government money and resources.

Attorney General Harry M. Daugherty, Interior Secretary Albert B. Fall, and Navy Secretary Edwin C. Denby, were considered to have been responsible for acts of corruption and cronyism. There are a number of things they were accused of, including keeping bootleg whisky in the White House.

The Ohio Gang was responsible for the Teapot Dome scandal. The Teapot Dome was considered America’s biggest political scandal up until Watergate. The group met regularly at the infamous Little Green House on K Street. Also associated with the secret hide out was Jesse W. Smith; who was said to have committed suicide because he faced scrutiny from Harding’s supporters about his involvement.