There’s nothing more egregious in society’s eyes than when a politician is accused of corruption, but one in particular will forever go down in history as the man whose televised graphic suicide haunts people to this day.

Budd Dwyer was a member of Pennsylvania State Senate, and was also well-known as the 30th Treasurer of Pennsylvania. Budd’s prominent career came crashing down all around him when, in the early 80s, the state found out a critical error: employees had overpaid federal taxes. In order to repair the damage, accounting firms left and right began competing for the multimillion dollar contract to determine compensation for each employee. That was when Budd allegedly accepted a bribe from a law firm in California that ultimately won the contract. Throughout the whole trial, he had maintained his innocence and even insisted he was being framed. But Budd didn’t stand a chance. In the eyes of the judge, he was guilty as charged. He was sentenced to a maximum of 55 years in prison and had to pay $300,000 in fines. 

On January 22, 1987, the day before Budd was to be sentenced, he called for a press conference. The media went crazy, as they assumed he was going to resign from office. But what really unfolded was much more appalling. He began reading before all the reporters, imploring people to extend prayers to his family, and declaring his innocence once more. He then withdrew a revolver from a manila envelope. People began shrieking in fear, begging him not to do the unthinkable. Some tried to step in and stop him, but Budd warned, ‘’Don’t, don’t, don’t, this will hurt someone.” Within seconds, the revolver was in his mouth and he pulled the trigger in front of all those who were watching him on live television. He immediately fell to the floor, blood rapidly gushing out of his nose and head wound. He was dead instantly.

To this day, Budd’s innocence is still widely disputed.