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The name Teapot Dome is derived from a land formation in Wyoming, which at the time was part of the United States Navy oil reserves. In 1922, Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall (of New Mexico), a Harding appointee at the suggestion of Harry Daugherty ( Attorney General under Harding), illegally conveyed the rights to the oil to Harry F. Sinclair ( Sinclair Oil) without competitive bidding. Because of Daugherty’s actions in suggesting so many of his cronies, the term Ohio Gang has been used to define those who performed illegal acts while under the employ of the Harding Administration.
Concurrently, Fall also conveyed the Naval oil reserves at Elk Hills, California to Edward L. Doheny of Los Angeles, California in exchange for personal loans at no interest.
Following a Senate Investigation lead by Senator Thomas Walsh , indictments were handed down for Fall, Doheny and Sinclair. Doheny and Sinclair were both fined $100,000; Fall was sentenced to prison, making him the first Presidential cabinet member to go to prison for his actions in office. Doheny later died under suspicious conditions. The purloined oil fields were returned to the U.S. government through a Supreme Court decision in 1927.
Following the exposure of Teapot Dome, Harding’s popularity plunged. While the late President and First Lady Florence Kling Harding’s bodies were interned in the newly completed Harding Memorial in Marion, OhioMarion is a city located in Marion County, Ohio. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 35,318. It is the county seat of Marion County 6. Geography Marion is located at 40°35'12" North, 83°7'35" West (40. 586579, -83. According to the U in 1927, a formal dedication ceremony wouldn’t be held until 19301930 is the common year starting on Wednesday. see link for calendar) Events January-February January 6 The first diesel-engine automobile trip is completed ( Indianapolis, Indiana, to New York City). January 27 Miguel Primo de Rivera resigns January 30 G when enough of the scandal had faded from the memories of the American people.