ABSCAM

Scope and Content Note:

Abscam (sometimes ABSCAM) was a US political scandal in 1980. The FBI set up a sting operation which led to the arrest of members of Congress for accepting bribes.

The FBI set up Abdul Enterprises, Ltd. in 1978 and FBI employees posed as Middle Eastern businessmen in videotaped talks with government officials. The phony employees offered money in return for political favors to a non-existent sheik. It was the first major operation by the FBI to trap corrupt public officials. As of 1970, only ten members of Congress had ever been convicted of accepting bribes.

In early 1980, media reports surfaced that FBI personnel were targeting members of Congress in a sting operation. The operation was dubbed Abscam after the name of the phony company set up by the FBI.

WHORM SUBJECT FILES

FG006-01 casefile 069502

JL001 casefile 140899

JL002 casefile 264649

JL003 casefiles 050075, 087044, 103288, 110425, 120290, 122716, 162829, 248193

PE001 casefile 053212

WHITE HOUSE STAFF AND OFFICE FILES

Fielding, Fred F.: Files

Box 23F

ABSCAM

Roberts, John G., Jr.: Files

Box 1

ABSCAM (1)-(4)

Updated: 10/26/1999 Most recent opening: 9/10/99

Case# Researcher Topic Pages Restricted

F99-105 Fish Abscam