Tag: corruption

A “boodle” refers to a large sum of bribe money or graft money.

The “deduct box” was the locked box where legendary Louisiana Gov. Huey Long kept “deducts” from state employee salaries to fund his political operation.

A “grifter” is a con artist, someone who obtains money by swindling or tricking others.

Honest graft refers to the money-making opportunities that might arise while holding public office.

A “boondoggle” is a wasteful or extravagant project with no practical value.

“Feeding at the public trough” is using government funds to enrich oneself.

Political patronage is the system of rewarding political allies with government jobs, especially prestigious positions which pay well and demand little in the way of work.

“Machine politics” is a phenomenon sometimes seen in an urban political context, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries.