Some of these corrupt US states might shock you!
In a perfect world, we wouldn’t have to worry about corruption at our doors. We should rest assured that our local, state, and federal administrations look for our best interests. But sadly, many countries worldwide deal with corruption, and our nation isn’t excluded.
According to the Corruption Perception Index, the US is the 25th-least corrupt country in the world. So, at least there’s that, right? Although the United States of America might not be as corrupt as many other nations globally, there has been evidence of corruption and notable scandals scattered here and there.
In some states, this is more dominant than in others. Curious to know more? Continue reading about the 9 most corrupt US states!
Determining corruption by state
Measuring a corrupt US state is an imperfect science. To produce the least distorted image, most indexes collect multiple metrics together, which helps balance any shortcomings in any metric.
Three of the most notable corruption indexes are the Center for Public Integrity’s State Integrity Investigation from 2015, the Coalition for Integrity’s 2018 and 2020 States With Anti-Corruption Measures for Public Officials, and experts’ Most Corrupt State study, all of which make up several corruption-related metrics.
The study compiled the SII and SWAMP indices and added more data, including the number of public corruption convictions per 10,000 residents and reported violations by medical providers between 1990 and 2020. Each metric was then given a weighted value and finally compiled into a single Corruption Index Score ranging from 100, which is the most corrupt, to 0, which is the least corrupt.
The 2018 Institute for Corruption in America Survey took another approach, monitoring reporters on the degree of legal and illegal corruption they sensed in the various state government branches.
Finally, statistics site FiveThirtyEight examined corruption in 2015 using four different metrics and deduced that the proper level of corruption in a given state is quite difficult to pin down because other individual metrics can give significantly differing impressions.
Why is it so complicated to measure corruption levels?
Corruption statistics can be notoriously deceptive. One of the main reasons is that governments are primarily responsible for passing their anti-corruption laws, and corrupt US state officials are less likely to do this.
As a result, states with lower levels of corruption usually have more corruption convictions due to more powerful laws for detecting, preventing, and punishing corruption than states with higher levels but weaker anti-corruption laws, leading to fewer convictions.
Also, different evaluator’s perceptions of “corruption” may vary. For instance, some might consider only illegal acts to be corruption.
Others could include acts that are legal but arguably immoral. For instance, a politician who votes against legislation that would benefit their people but is fought by a major campaign donor isn’t breaking the law but is arguably immoral.
Other examples of arguable corruption include redirecting funding intended for a special cause to instead go to a different reason they prefer or awarding a government contract to a business with whom they have an intimate relationship rather than allowing numerous companies to submit bid proposals.
So, which are the most corrupt US states?
The answer to this question greatly depends on which study you’re examining. But here’s what experts have to say:
Vermont
With a Corruption Index Score of 100, this state is considered the most corrupt US state in the nation. Its awful ranking is because of the 3,753 adverse action reports from 1990 to 2020, the whopping 42 public corruption convictions per 10,000 residents, and 831 medical malpractice reports between 1990 and 2020.
This corrupt US state also obtained a SWAMP index score of 37 out of 100 and a state integrity score of 60 out of 100, which would indicate the need for immediate action.
Utah
Utah comes in 2nd with a score of 94.90 on the corruption index. This ranking is thanks to a SWAMP index score of 31, 48 public corruption convictions per 10,000 inhabitants, and a state integrity score of 62.
Furthermore, 3,673 medical malpractice reports and 7,699 adverse action reports were filed between 1990 and 2020 in this corrupt US state.
Arizona
Arizona has a 94.82 on the corruption index because of the 35,307 adverse action reports filed between 1990 and 2020.
The state’s corruption is indicated by 7947 medical malpractice reports and 38 public corruption convictions per 10,000 residents filed from 1990 to 2020. Even though the SWAMP index score might be 28 out of 100, the corrupt US state’s integrity score is 64.
Oregon
Oregon is the first state on this list with a corruption index score smaller than 90. This corrupt US state scored 18,012 adverse action reports from 1990 to 2020, 86.81 with 50 public corruption convictions per 10,000 residents, and 3,737 medical malpractice reports between 1990 and 2020.
With these numbers comes a SWAMP index score of 55 and a state integrity score of 59.
Colorado
With 44 public corruption convictions per 10,000 inhabitants and 26,103 adverse action reports filed between 1990 and 2020, this corrupt US state has an index score of 83.35.
From 1990 to 2020, 5,369 medical malpractice reports were filed. Besides this, the state obtained a 57 on the SWAMP Index and 67 on state integrity.
Idaho
Idaho scored 82.26 on the corruption index scale, making it the 6th most corrupt US state. It has a SWAMP index score of 16 and a state integrity score of 62.
Between 1990 and 2020, there were roughly 2,921 adverse action reports and 1,190 medical malpractice reports filed. Moreover, 39 public corruption convictions were recorded per 10,000 inhabitants, which is likely what gives the state its ranking.
Iowa
Iowa has a similar score to Idaho but is a little less corrupt, with an index score of 82.14. Its ranking is thanks to 10,100 adverse action reports from 1990 to 2020, 40 public corruption convictions per 10,000 residents, and 3,480 medical malpractice reports filed during these years.
This corrupt US state also acquired a a state integrity score of 67 out of 100 and SWAMP index score of 40 out of 100.
Minnesota
Minnesota scored 78.42 on the corruption index scale between 1990 and 2020.
This can be due to the fact that it had 15,681 adverse action reports, 46 public corruption convictions, and 3,362 medical malpractice reports. This corrupt US state scored 46 on SWAMP and a 62 on the integrity scale.
Nebraska
Nebraska takes the 9th and final spot on this list of the corruption index with a score of 77.18. It has 43 public corruption convictions per 10,000 residents, a state integrity score of 67, and a 60 on the SWAMP index score.
Besides that, 2,303 medical malpractice reports and 7,643 adverse action reports were filed between 1990 and 2020 in this corrupt US state.
The bottom line
Based on analysis, Kentucky has the lowest corruption score, followed by Illinois, South Dakota, and Alaska. This result, with Vermont being the most corrupt US state, is arguably unexpected given that this state is also considered one of the safest and boasts a low crime rate.
But, as I said earlier, a high index score can indicate high corruption. Still, it could also indicate the opposite: heightened attention against corruption, which can lead to higher conviction totals, for instance.
Due to these types of complexities, corruption rankings are best viewed as more of a jumping-off point for discussions about crime instead of being the last word on the matter.
A reasonable understanding of each state’s actual level of corruption requires deep dives into the data and examination of the specific leadership, laws, and scenarios present in each state.
Is your home town on this list of corrupt US states? Please feel free to share your thoughts with Today On Politics in the comments section below.
But don’t leave yet! If you found this article interesting, I highly recommend also checking out: 16 Most Influential Supreme Court Rulings in History