The Teapot Dome scandal involved a major political scandal in the United States during the early 1920s, focusing on Secretary of the Interior Albert B. Fall. He orchestrated secret leases of oil reserves at Teapot Dome and Elk Hills, California, to private oil companies without competitive bidding. The leases, granted to companies like Sinclair Oil in 1922, were made under terms that many viewed as excessively generous, raising concerns over corruption and the administration's ties to the oil industry. Fall's actions, revealing a misuse of public trust, prompted public outrage when details began to surface, exacerbated by media scrutiny. Investigations uncovered Fall had accepted substantial bribes—amounting to over $400,000—from these companies in exchange for favorable lease agreements.

As allegations mounted, Congress initiated investigations which culminated in a full-blown scandal. Fall became the first sitting cabinet member to be incarcerated for corruption after being convicted in 1929. His conviction was a significant moment in U.S. history, highlighting issues of government accountability and regulatory oversight. The scandal not only tarnished the reputation of the Harding Administration but also instigated reforms in how federal oil reserves and natural resources were managed long after the events unfolded.