Teapot Dome Investagation
Democrat Thomas J. Walsh led the long investegation. For two years, no evidence of wrongdoing was ever found, the leases were legal, but records kept disappearing mysteriously. Fall had made the leases appear legitimate, but his acceptance of the money was his undoing. By 1924, the remaining unanswered question was how Fall had become so rich so fast. Money from the bribes had gone to Fall's cattle ranch and investments in his business. Finally, as the investigation was about to end with no evidence to convict Fall, Walsh uncovered a piece of evidence Fall had forgotten to cover up, Doheny's $100,000 loan to Fall. This discovery broke the case open. Civil and criminal suits related to the scandal continued throughout the 1920s. The Court rejected the Elk Hills lease in February 1927 and the Teapot Dome lease in October. Both reserves were returned to the Navy.