Accountability in the Political Arena: Convictions and Scandals (2010–2026)

In the high-stakes world of politics, media, and religious influence, the betrayal of public and spiritual trust is a recurring and non-partisan tragedy. Between 2010 and 2026, figures across the entire spectrum—Republicans, Democrats, donors, media personalities, and religious leaders—have faced arrest and conviction for crimes involving the exploitation of minors.

The following comprehensive list details notable individuals who have transitioned from positions of influence to the criminal justice system.

Politicians and Government Officials

This group includes lawmakers and officials who often used their legislative power or “family values” platforms as a cover for predatory behavior.

Influencers and Media Personalities

Those in the media arena often use their public “voice” to gain access to vulnerable populations or to present a curated image of morality that belies their private actions.

• Anton “Tony” Lazzaro (GOP Consultant/Influencer): A high-profile strategist and mega-donor in Minnesota. In 2023, he was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison for sex trafficking girls as young as 15.
• George Nader (Political Liaison/Influencer): An advisor with deep ties to GOP circles. Sentenced in 2020 to 10 years for child sex trafficking and possession of child pornography.
• Rory Amon (Former MP/Influencer): While an Australian figure, his 2025/2026 case made international waves in conservative political circles after he was charged with 10 child sex offenses and subsequently arrested for bail breaches in early 2026.
• Josh Duggar (Political Activist/Influencer): A former executive for the Family Research Council (aligned with the GOP). Convicted in 2021 for receiving and possessing child pornography; currently serving a 12-year sentence.

Religious Leaders with Political Affiliations

These individuals used the pulpit to establish moral authority, often endorsing candidates while hiding decades of abuse.

• Robert Morris (Trump Spiritual Adviser): Founder of Gateway Church. Pleaded guilty in October 2025 to lewd acts with a 12-year-old child (dating back to the 1980s). His conviction shattered his standing as a major evangelical political influencer.
• Theodore McCarrick (Cardinal/Political Liaison): A high-ranking Catholic official with massive influence in D.C. Democratic and Republican circles. Defrocked in 2019 and faced criminal charges for the sexual abuse of minors and adults.
• James “Jimmy” Turner (Pastor/GOP Chair): Former chairman of the Providence, RI Republican City Committee. Charged in 2017 with second-degree child molestation.
• International Churches of Christ (ICOC) Leadership: In 2023 and 2024, a series of lawsuits and criminal investigations targeted multiple leaders of this politically active religious group for “creating a culture of acceptance” for the molestation of minors.

Donors and High-Profile Voters

Wealthy individuals who use their financial power to gain proximity to power, often using that proximity to facilitate or hide their crimes.

• Ed Buck (Democratic Mega-Donor): While his primary convictions were related to lethal drug distribution, trial testimony in 2022 detailed his predatory behavior toward young, vulnerable men and boys over a decade of high-level political donating.
• Stephen Jabbour (Democratic Chair/Donor): A Texas attorney and donor sentenced to 14 years in 2011 for what was then the largest seized collection of child pornography in the U.S.
• Jeffrey Epstein: Though his primary crimes were prior to his 2019 death, the fallout (2020–2026) regarding his political donations to both parties and his “black book” of influencers continues to lead to investigations of his associates.

Analysis: The Cycle of Betrayal

This list demonstrates that predatory behavior is a human failure, not a partisan one.

1. GOP Trend: Cases often involve a “hypocrisy gap” where the perpetrator publicly advocated for strict moral codes or “family values” while privately engaging in exploitation.
2. Democrat Trend: Cases often involve “community trust” where local leaders used their roles as progressive advocates for the marginalized to gain access to vulnerable youth in their districts.
3. Modern Detection (2024–2026): The surge in arrests of local mayors and state representatives in the last 18 months is largely attributed to improved NCMEC (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children) digital tracking, which has effectively stripped away the “political immunity” that once protected high-status individuals.