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Witness History: The ‘Abscam’ Corruption Investigation

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The ‘Abscam’ Corruption Investigation

02/02/2016 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, The ‘Abscam’ Corruption Investigation

The FBI sting operation that ensnared corrupt politicians using a fictitious Arab sheikh.

'Abscam' was an FBI sting operation that became public in 1980. It ensnared corrupt politicians using a fictitious Arab sheikh. Witness speaks to the agent in charge of the case.

A major undercover corruption investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation became public in February 1980. 

Codenamed 'Abscam', the operation used a fictitious Arab sheikh who was supposedly looking to invest millions of dollars in the US.

The case shocked America when it was revealed that half a dozen Members of Congress had been recorded receiving bundles of cash from representatives of the bogus sheikh in return for political favours. 

Witness speaks to John Good who was the FBI agent in charge of the investigation.

(Photo: Former FBI agent, John Good)

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