Dark History Podcast Summary

Episode 179: The Oil Scandal They Tried to Erase from History Release Date: August 13, 2025
Host: Bailey Sarian
Producer: Audioboom Studios

Introduction to the Teapot Dome Scandal

In Episode 179 of Dark History, Bailey Sarian delves into one of the United States' earliest and most significant government scandals: the Teapot Dome affair. Sarian sets the stage by highlighting the pivotal role oil played in the early 20th century, likening it to "the new gold" due to its widespread use in powering vehicles, airplanes, and industries. By the fall of 1921, America was responsible for producing 80% of the world's oil supply, making control over oil reserves a matter of national importance.

Key Players: Harding, Fall, Sinclair, and Doheny

Sarian introduces the central figures involved in the scandal:

• Warren G. Harding: Initially a U.S. senator, Harding was elected president in 1920 with a campaign promise to "return to normalcy" ([07:16]). Sarian notes Harding's unconventional campaign style, which included staying home in his pajamas while his opponents crisscrossed the country.

• Albert B. Fall: A close confidant of Harding and a prominent member of his inner circle known as the "Ohio Gang." Fall was appointed Secretary of the Interior, granting him control over the federal oil reserves ([08:17]).

• Harry Sinclair (Sinclair Oil): An influential oil tycoon who, along with Edward Doheny, became deeply entwined in the scandal through corrupt dealings with Fall.

• Edward Doheny: Founder of Pan American Petroleum, Doheny leveraged his relationship with Fall to gain access to government-controlled oil reserves, enriching himself through illicit means.

The Corruption Unfolds: Bribes and Leases

Bailey Sarian meticulously outlines how Harding's presidency became a conduit for corrupt practices. After Harding's election, Fall was empowered to lease federal oil reserves, notably Teapot Dome in Wyoming and oil fields in California, to private oil companies without competitive bidding. Sarian explains:

"[...] Fall was now able to secretly lease those oil reserves out to his friends. So he's in. And in 1921, he writes up an executive order that gives his department full control of the oil reserves" ([10:10]).

The scandal intensified when both Harry Sinclair and Edward Doheny received lucrative leases in exchange for substantial bribes. These transactions were concealed from the public and bypassed legal scrutiny, leading to significant financial gains for the oil magnates involved.

Public Outcry and Investigations

The initial exposure of the scandal came from an investigative report by the Wall Street Journal on April 14, 1922, which revealed the secret agreements between the Department of the Interior and private oil companies. This exposé prompted public outrage and a subsequent Senate investigation:

"In December of 1921, Edward Doheny sends his son, Ned Doheny, to go out and, like, pay Albert Fall" ([35:44]).

Despite the gravity of the revelations, President Harding remained largely unimpacted due to his untimely death in 1923. However, Albert Fall faced repercussions, becoming the first U.S. cabinet secretary to be convicted of corruption. Sarian remarks:

"In 1931, Albert Bacon Fall became the first U.S. cabinet Secretary ever to go to prison for corruption." ([58:59])

The Murders of Ned Doheny and Hugh Plunkett

A pivotal and chilling moment in the episode is the recounting of the mysterious murders of Ned Doheny and his personal assistant, Hugh Plunkett, on February 17, 1929. Sarian describes the scene:

"Ned Doheny... was lying face up in a pool of blood" ([39:04]).

The official story presented by the Doheny family was a murder-suicide, with Hugh suffering a mental breakdown. However, Detective Leslie T. White found numerous inconsistencies, including powder burns indicating a close-range shot and lack of fingerprints on the murder weapon. The mystery deepens as Sarian discusses various theories:

• Possible Involvement of Lucy Doheny: Nancy speculates that Ned's wife might have discovered an affair, leading her to commit the murders.

• Interference by Albert Fall: Another theory suggests that Fall wanted to eliminate witnesses who could testify against him, coupled with pressure on the Doheny family to stay silent.

These tragic events occurred just weeks before Ned and Hugh were slated to testify in the ongoing Teapot Dome trial, raising suspicions about foul play aimed at silencing key witnesses.

Trials and Convictions

Despite the mounting evidence against key figures, the legal outcomes were surprisingly lenient:

• Harry Sinclair: Indicted for contempt and for hiring a private investigator to intimidate jurors, Sinclair received a six-month prison sentence.

• Edward and Ned Doheny: Charged with inducing Fall to commit unlawful acts, both faced felony charges. Ned Doheny's reputation suffered severely, leading to his son's withdrawal from the University of Southern California after a hefty donation to salvage his standing.

• Albert Fall: Although convicted and sentenced to one year in prison and fined $100,000, some argue that Fall received a lighter punishment considering the scale of the corruption.

Sarian highlights the plea deals and leniencies, emphasizing how power and wealth often manipulated the justice system:

"His high power attorney... he painted him as like a devoted patriot, a grieving father. He just lost his son, and he used the death of his son to sway the jury." ([35:44])

The Legacy of Teapot Dome

The Teapot Dome scandal left an indelible mark on American politics, establishing a precedent for future government scandals. Sarian discusses its lasting impact:

"Teapot Dome really became the blueprint for future American scandals." ([35:44])

Additionally, the term "fall guy" is believed to have originated from Albert Fall's role, signifying a scapegoat who takes the blame for others.

The episode concludes by reflecting on the scandal's historical significance and its role in shaping public trust in government institutions. Sarian draws parallels to more recent scandals, underscoring the recurring theme of corruption and the challenges in holding powerful individuals accountable.

Notable Quotes

• Bailey Sarian on Harding’s Campaign:

  "Harding didn't do any of that. He like came outside in his pajamas and was like, yeah, I'm trying to be president." ([07:16])

• Albert Fall’s Trust:

  "The whole point of Albert Bacon Fall becoming Secretary of the Interior was so he could get his hands on that secret government stash of oil." ([10:10])

• Sarian on the Aftermath:

  "President Harding never made it to his Cruz era because just one week after getting back From Alaska on August 2, 1923, Harding had a stroke and he died." ([28:54])

Conclusion

Episode 179 of Dark History offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the Teapot Dome scandal, unraveling the intricate web of corruption that once breached the highest levels of government. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Bailey Sarian sheds light on how greed and power can undermine democratic institutions, leaving lessons that remain pertinent to this day.

Join the Conversation:
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Next Episode Teaser:
"Next time, we're leaving the oil fields behind and heading somewhere a little more personal. Like your bathroom, your vanity, the drawer where you keep the tools that promise beauty, but may be hiding something way more dangerous. Join me next time for the dark history of deadly beauty tools."

Dark History is an Audioboom original. For more episodes, visit Audioboom's Dark History Page.