Teapot Dome

American  

noun

U.S. History.

1. a federal oil reserve in Wyoming, leased to private producer Harry F. Sinclair by Secretary of the Interior Albert B. Fall in 1922, leading to a major government scandal and the tarnishing of the reputation of President Warren G. Harding's administration (1921–23).

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Example Sentences

Cabinet officials took advantage of the opportunity to engage in rampant corruption, resulting in the Teapot Dome scandal after his death.

From Washington Times • Sep. 25, 2023

Doheny, impugned but not impoverished by the Teapot Dome scandal, spent $4 million to build Greystone as a gift to his son and heir, Ned.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2022

Fall’s son-in-law testified that he had delivered $233,000 in World War I Liberty Bonds and $36,000 in cash from Sinclair to Fall after the Teapot Dome lease was concluded.

From Washington Post • Jan. 9, 2022

Oil magnate Harry Sinclair, who was embroiled in the Teapot Dome bribery scandal, paid just $213.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2021

When William broke the Teapot Dome telegrams, McLean worried that his own secrets could be easily read, too.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield