The Great Oklahoma Swindle: A History of Fraud and Finance in the Sooner State

The Great Oklahoma Swindle is a fascinating and complex story of fraud and finance in the Sooner State. It is a tale of greed, corruption, and the abuse of power, and it has left a lasting legacy on Oklahoma politics and society.

The Early Years

Oklahoma was founded in 1907, and it was quickly admitted to the Union as the 46th state. The state's early years were marked by a boom in oil production, and many Oklahomans became wealthy overnight. However, this wealth was not evenly distributed, and many poor Oklahomans were left behind.

The Great Oklahoma Swindle: Race, Religion, and Lies in America's Weirdest State

by Russell Cobb

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1923 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	266 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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In the 1920s, a group of corrupt politicians and businessmen began to exploit the state's oil wealth. They created a series of shell companies and used them to buy up land and mineral rights at inflated prices. They then sold these assets to unsuspecting investors, who lost millions of dollars.

The Land Run

One of the most notorious examples of the Great Oklahoma Swindle was the land run of 1889. In this event, thousands of people raced to claim land in the newly opened Oklahoma Territory. Many of these people were poor farmers and homesteaders who were hoping to start a new life in the West.

However, the land run was rigged from the start. Corrupt officials had already sold the best land to their friends and family. As a result, many of the poor farmers and homesteaders who participated in the land run were left with worthless land.

The Keating Five

In the 1980s, the Great Oklahoma Swindle reached its peak with the Keating Five scandal. This scandal involved five members of the U.S. Senate who were accused of accepting bribes from Charles Keating, the owner of Lincoln Savings and Loan.

Keating's company was one of the largest thrift institutions in the United States, and it was heavily invested in real estate. When the real estate market crashed in the 1980s, Lincoln Savings and Loan collapsed, costing taxpayers billions of dollars.

The Keating Five scandal led to the conviction of all five senators. It also led to a number of reforms in the way that thrift institutions are regulated.

The Legacy of the Great Oklahoma Swindle

The Great Oklahoma Swindle has left a lasting legacy on Oklahoma politics and society. It has made Oklahomans distrustful of government and financial institutions. It has also led to a number of reforms in the way that the state's government is run.

The Great Oklahoma Swindle is a reminder that greed and corruption can have devastating consequences. It is also a reminder that it is important to be vigilant in protecting our democracy and our financial system.

The Great Oklahoma Swindle: Race, Religion, and Lies in America's Weirdest State

by Russell Cobb

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1923 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	266 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE