The Most Feared Woman on Capitol Hill

By Linda Burstyn, Ms. Magazine. Posted January 31, 2007.

Corrupt politicians like Tom DeLay have complained miserably about Melanie Sloan and her ethics watchdog group -- so she must be doing something right.

A longer version of this article appears in Ms. Magazine.

If you paid close attention to the media lately, you would have heard many of the politicians who've been drowning in scandal pinning the blame for their problems on one woman -- as if the mere mention of her name would somehow float them to safety.

Charged with taking payoffs from Jack Abramoff's clients? Blame Melanie Sloan. Under FBI investigation for steering government business to your daughter? Blame Melanie Sloan. Indicted for accepting bribes of millions of dollars, antique furniture, cars, boats and houses? Blame Melanie Sloan.