Secret Empires

Secret Empires – Peter Schweizer

In Secret Empires: How the American Political Class Hides Corruption and Enriches Family and Friends, investigative author Peter Schweizer, president of the Government Accountability Institute and author of Clinton Cash, examines what he describes as a hidden form of political influence in Washington.

Schweizer argues that, beyond traditional lobbying and campaign contributions, some powerful politicians from both major parties have family members and associates who benefit from business deals connected to their positions, including foreign investment ventures, government contracts and other opportunities. He calls this practice corruption by proxy, and suggests that existing laws and disclosure rules do little to prevent it.

The book presents a series of case studies involving prominent political figures and their relatives, drawing on public records, financial documents and investigative research. Schweizer discusses arrangements involving countries such as China, Ukraine and Russia, and raises questions about conflicts of interest, transparency and accountability. He concludes with proposals for reforms that he believes would make such arrangements more visible.

The book attracted significant attention, and its claims and interpretations have been disputed by many of the individuals involved and by other commentators.

Provocative and detailed, Secret Empires will interest readers concerned with government ethics, political influence and accountability. As with any investigative work on contested political topics, readers may wish to consult a range of sources and perspectives.