Photos: Memorable scandals

After an investigation that found that Ohio State quarterback Terelle Pryor and other Buckeye stars received tattoos and preferential car deals in exchange for Buckeye memorabilia, the NCAA suspended Pryor and four others for the first five games of the 2011 season. Tressel initially denied knowledge of the violations, but emails released by Pryor’s mentor showed that Tressel was well aware of his player’s violations and failed to report them, in serious violation of NCAA bylaws. Tressel eventually resigned under pressure from Ohio State president Gordon Gee. Pryor, breaking a public promise to return for the 2011 season, made the jump to the NFL in the Supplemental Draft. Urban Meyer has since been hired to coach the Buckeyes starting in 2012 and OSU will lose scholarhips and 2012 bowl eligibility.  (Matt Sullivan/Reuters)

Hailed as an example of “green job” creator, Solyndra received $535 million in U.S. government loans under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The loans were approved by the Obama administration’s Department of Energy, despite some staffers raising questions about Solyndra’s fiscal solvency. Solyndra would eventually declare bankruptcy and revelations that some Solyndra executives had made significant contributions to the Obama campaign have raised questions about whether or not political patronage played a role in Solyndra receiving funds despite their shaky financials.  (Robert Galbraith/Reuters)

Operation Fast and Furious was a sting organization undertaken by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and FIrearms designed to link the purchase of weapons by straw purchasers to criminal syndicates in Mexico. The weapons, which were electronically tagged, were allowed to be sold and transported to Mexico in order to build a stronger case against the weapons ultimate owners. However, many of the approximately 2,000 guns have since gone missing and have been linked to hundreds of crime scenes, including the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. The scandal has sparked a congressional investigation and calls for Attorney General Eric Holder to resign, though Holder has said he has no plans to leave his job. Over a thousand of the ATF supplied weapons are still unaccounted for.  (String/Reuters)

In May, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver separated after 25 years of marriage. A few days later, the Los Angeles Times revealed that Schwarzenegger fathered a child with a household employee 14-years earlier. Though Schwarzenegger had provided financial support, the child was never made aware that Schwarzenegger was the father. Actress Brigitte Nielsen also came forward, admitting to having an affair with the former governor of California while he was married to Shriver.  (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)

Former senator John Ensign (R-NV) admitted in 2011 to having an affair between 2007-2008 with Cynthia Hampton, the wife of long time aide and friend, Douglas Hampton. After learning of the affair, Doug Hampton confronted Ensign. Ensign then allegedly secured a well-paid position for Hampton at a Nevada lobbying firm, including landing clients for Hampton who had made campaign contributions to Ensign. As a former Hill staffer, Hampton was barred from lobbying work until one year after leaving Ensign’s office. Ensign’s parents also made a payment of $96,000 to the Hamptons claiming it was a “gift” and not a severance of any sort. The Senate Ethics Committee found “substantial and credible evidence” that ethics violations and potentially criminal acts may have been committed and referred the matter to the FBI and Federal Election Commission, who are investigating.  (Steve Marcus/Reuters)

Floyd Mayweather Jr. sucker punches Ortiz, goes to jail   (Steve Marcus/Reuters)

Atlanta pastor Eddie Long often denounced homosexuality from the pulpit and led “gay cure” programs designed to reorient homosexuals. In late 2010, two young men and former parishioners filed separate lawsuits alleging that Long used his position in the church to coerce them into unwanted sexual acts. Long has denied the charges, but did step down as pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and has made undisclosed financial settlements with the two male accusers.  (John Amis-Pool/ Getty Images)

In May, former French presidential hopeful Dominique Strauss-Kahn was arrested by New York authorities for the sexual assault and attempted rape of Sofitel hotel maid Nafissatou Diallo. At the time, Strauss-Kahn was the head of the International Monetary Fund, a position he left after being indicted and posting $1 million bail. Prosecutors eventually dropped the charges after inconsistencies in Diallo’s story and past emerged. Strauss-Kahn returned to France where French journalist and author Tristane Banon accused him of attempted rape in 2002. French authorities have opened an investigation and Strauss-Kahn continues to deny all charges.  (Pool/Reuters)

Famed Penn State defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Jerry Sandusky has been indicted on over 50 counts of sexual assault against minors spanning several decades. Included in the indictment were allegations that legendary Penn State head coach Joe Paterno was aware of at least one instance of abuse that occurred in Penn State football facilities. According the the indictment, Paterno passed the information on to athletic director Tim Curley and head of university police Gary Schultz, but did not inform the police himself. Paterno and Penn State president Graham Spanier have since been fired by the Penn State Board of Trustees while Curley and Schultz, both charged with perjury, were placed on administrative leave. Penn State assistant football coach Mike McQueary, who allegedly witnessed the 2002 incident Paterno was aware of, was also placed on leave. Details of the alleged abuse, as well as new potential victims are slowly becoming more public. Revelations that the judge who initially arraigned Sandusky had raised campaign funds from board members of Sandusky’s charity along with Penn State’s atypical closed records laws have led some to speculate that the alleged cover up is wider and deeper than was originally suspected. Only time will tell what the future holds for Sandusky, Paterno, and Penn State football.  (Pat Little/Reuters)

Herman Cain hopped to the front of the Republican presidential field with his unique, straightforward style and a series of excellent sound bites. But, allegations from several women that he sexually harassed them while CEO of the National Restaurant Association put a halt to his charging poll numbers. Two of the women came forward publicly while others merely relayed their accusations through the media. Another woman, Ginger White, also came forward alleging a 13-year affair with Cain. Cain has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct, but did admit to paying White pay bills and other expenses as a favor to a friend. Cain’s slumping poll numbers, largely the result of the allegations, caused him to “suspend” his campaign for the 2012 GOP nomination.  (John Adkisson/Reuters)

Recorded attempting to solicit a bribe in exchange for Barack Obama’s vacated U.S. Senate seat, former Governor Rod Blagojevich initially escaped conviction on the most serious charges he faced. But, after conviction on almost every count during his second trial, Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison in 2011. Because of federal rules requiring inmates to serve 85% of their time, Blagojevich will likely serve at least 12 of his 14 year sentence.  (John Gress/Reuters)