Famous Political Sex Scandals
2011: Chris Lee and Craigslist
2008: John Edwards and Reille Hunter
But in 2008, Edwards admitted he had an affair and later admitted fathering a child with former campaign worker Reille Hunter. At the time, his wife, Elizabeth Edwards, was battling terminal cancer.
In the end, Elizabeth separated from her husband and died of cancer. Edwards faces a potential investigation into whether he improperly used campaigns to pay his mistress.
2008: Eliot Spitzer and Ashley Dupre
In 2008, the New York Times reported that Spitzer had frequented a high-priced prostitution service, purchasing time with Ashley (at $1,000 per hour) among other ladies.
The governor announced his resignation two days after the report. Investigators alleged that Spitzer spent as much as $80,000 on escorts.
In 2010, CNN hired Spitzer to host his own show. Dupre is still searching for a hit record.
2007: Larry Craig and an Airport Bathroom
The Republican pleaded guilty in 2007 to a misdemeanor of disorderly conduct. Craig refused to resign, attempted to withdraw his guilty plea (which the court rejected), and served out the rest of his senate term.
He remains married.
2006: Ted Haggard and Mike Jones
Jones alleged that he was paid by Haggard for sex as well as crystal meth. Haggard eventually admitted Jones' claims were true and resigned from his church.
2005: Mark Foley and the Pages
The Republican politician resigned, checked himself into rehab for alcoholism and eventually announced he had been a victim of abuse from a clergyman as a child.
1995: Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky
The president used contrition, counterattack and an artful definition of what constitutes sex in his ultimately successful defense against impeachment.
He remains married to his wife Hillary Clinton.
1988: Gary Hart and Donna Rice
Several newspapers did just that, finding, among other things, this photo of Hart with model Donna Rice on a yacht named Monkey Business. Needless to say, Hart did not last much longer in the election. Rice became an anti-pornography activist.
1980s: Jim Bakker and Jessica Hahn
His wife, Tammy Faye (right), stood by him for years, but eventually divorced him. Jessica Hahn made a career out of the mess, appearing in Playboy and several Hollywood films.