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Photos: Political scandals of 2014

Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) tells reporters he fired his aide behind a scheme to create a traffic jam on the George Washington Bridge as political retribution for a Democratic mayor who did not endorse Christie's reelection bid. "Bridgegate," as it's come to be known, has continued to haunt the possible 2016 candidate.

Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) tells reporters he fired his aide behind a scheme to create a traffic jam on the George Washington Bridge as political retribution for a Democratic mayor who did not endorse Christie’s reelection bid.  (Mel Evans / Associated Press)

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A year that began with reports of aides to Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) scheming to create a traffic jam, apparently as political retribution, has seen political scandals from the Sacramento statehouse to the halls of Congress.

Cocaine possession

Rep. Trey Radel (R-Fl.) bought 3.5 grams of cocaine from an officer in an undercover sting operation last October. After pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge, Radel said he would not vacate his seat. But facing primary challengers and an ethics committee probe, he resigned in January.  (Scott McIntyre / Associated Press)

Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) threatened to throw a TV reporter off a balcony after a post-State of the Union interview in January. The reporter had asked Grimm about alleged campaign-finance violations. "I'll break you in half," the Staten Island congressman told the reporter.

Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) threatened to throw a TV reporter off a balcony after a post-State of the Union interview in January. The reporter had asked Grimm about alleged campaign-finance violations. “I’ll break you in half,” the Staten Island congressman told the reporter.   (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press)

Ted Nugent in Texas

Longtime rocker Ted Nugent rallies supporters of Texas Atty. Gen. Greg Abbott, a Republican running for governor. Abbott drew criticism for the appearance on Feb. 18 because Nugent had called President Obama a “subhuman mongrel” one month earlier.  (Torin Halsey / Associated Press)

D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray delivers his State of the District address March 11, telling residents that he did not break the law in a campaign-fundraising scandal. Gray's address came one day after a U.S. attorney said the mayor knew about a "shadow campaign" from his 2010 election.

D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray delivers his State of the District address March 11, telling residents that he did not break the law in a campaign-fundraising scandal. Gray’s address came one day after a U.S. attorney said the mayor knew about a “shadow campaign” from his 2010 election.  (Evan Vucci / Associated Press)

A bad month for state Democrats

California State Sen. Leland Yee, pictured, was indicted April 4 in a San Francisco political corruption case. On March 26, Charlotte’s Democratic mayor was charged with bribery, theft and extortion, just days after investigators raided the home of Rhode Island’s Democratic House speaker.  (Ben Margot / Associated Press)

Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) walks into a news conference March 28, a day after lawyers Christie hired concluded he was not involved in a plot to create traffic on the George Washington Bridge. The report was slammed as sexist for its portrayal of a former Christie aide.

Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) walks into a news conference March 28, a day after lawyers Christie hired concluded he was not involved in a plot to create traffic on the George Washington Bridge. The report was slammed as sexist for its portrayal of a former Christie aide.  (Mel Evans / Associated Press)

'The kissing congressman'

Rep. Vance McAllister (R-La.) found himself in trouble after a local paper published surveillance video in April that showed the congressman kissing a staffer. McAllister has since apologized and said he will not run for reelection, though he plans to finish out his term.  (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)

Several Republican lawmakers backpedaled their endorsements of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy after he said he wondered whether African Americans were "better off as slaves." Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) were among those to strongly criticize Bundy.

Several Republican lawmakers backpedaled their endorsements of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy after he said he wondered whether African Americans were “better off as slaves.” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) were among those to strongly criticize Bundy.  (David Becker / Getty Images)

More trouble for Grimm

Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.), who threatened a TV reporter in January, speaks to members of the media outside his office April 29. Grimm pleaded not guilty in a federal court to a 20-count indictment including wire and mail fraud, perjury, hiring unauthorized aliens and filing false tax returns.  (Alex Wong / Getty Images)

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