She also has covered cases involving political corruption, most notably Abscam in 1981.

CNN: Anchors & Reporters

John W. Jenrette Jr. of South Carolina was enmeshed in the Abscam corruption scandal, resigned in 1980 and subsequently went to prison.

CNN: By Ronald D. Elving, CQ Staff Writer

Abscam is one that sticks in my mind but the age of that particular scandal and that I recall it tends towards a proof of the contention that it is rarer.

FORBES: Which Is More Corrupt? Wall Street Or Congress?

Another thought: For the past several days, some honesty-in-government types have been reminding everyone about the ethics questions concerning Murtha that go as far back as his alleged involvement in the Abscam scandal in 1980.

NPR: The Democratic Sweep, and Where I Called It Wrong

There was ABSCAM in 1980, when the FBI set up a sting operation that caught on videotape a senator and five representatives receiving cash payments from a fictitious Middle Eastern businessman in return for political influence.

NPR: Abramoff Latest in String of Congressional Scandals