Who Were they?
The Ohio Gang was President Harding's cabinet officials. These members held nearly every important position in the cabinet. The leader of these men was Harry M. Daugherty. These men became known as the "Ohio Gang" due to unscrupulous behavior to which Harding responded much like President Grant had by turning his back on the issue of the corrupt by denying their existence. The president hated to say "no" to people, fearing that he would hurt their feelings, so the Ohio Gang was unafraid to abuse such a moral weakness. These actions caused a great deal of distrust among the other government officials and the American people.
Scandal!
Although the Harding administration was filled with scandals, the most notorious of all these was the Teapot Dome Scandal involving the Secretary of Interior Albert B. Fall who rented out government land for personal loans. Other officials were accused of accepting bribes, violating prohibition, and infidelity.
Members...
Harry M. Daugherty, leader of the Ohio Gang, he was the principal manager of Harding's political ascendancy and who was named attorney general of the United States...later he would be accused of illegally selling pardons in the government. He was acquitted but was forced to resign.
Albert B. Fall, secretary of the interior was indicted, convicted, and imprisoned for his role in the Teapot Dome scandal and the Elk Hills oil-reserves scandal, who became the first member of the president's Cabinet to be convicted of felony while in office.
Will H. Hays was the postmaster general, also accused of committing crimes.
Jess Smith, an official of the justice Department committed suicide in order to avoid facing charges similar to those of Daugherty.
General Charles R. Forbes, head of the Veteran's Bureau, was accused of embezzling funds from the construction of veteran hospitals.
From left to right, Harry M. Daugherty and President Warren G. Harding
Death of the "Ohio Gang"
The "Ohio Gang" finally met their demise when president Harding died of pneumonia on a tour of the country. Following his death, Vice President Coolidge was sworn in and proceeded to slowly clean out the corruption of the Harding administration. Coolidge was immune to the appearance of corruption due to his transparent attitude. He helped to restore American faith in the government. Thus, the end to the Ohio Gang.
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