10)  “Hamilton Sentenced in Bribery, Extortion Case” – from The Washington Post on August 12.

9) “City Hall Plotters Accused in Gun-Smuggling Scheme” – from The Wall Street Journal on March 14.

8)  “Blagojevich Hit with 14-Year Prison Sentence” – from The Chicago Tribune on December 9.

7)  “Leslie Johnson Gets One-Year Sentence” – from The Washington Post on December 9.

6) “Second Bribe Case for Lawmaker Just Acquitted” – from The New York Times on November 29.

5) “Ex-Judge Gets 17 1/2 Years in Pa. Kickbacks Case” – from The Seattle Times on September 23.

4) “Disgraced DiMasi Is Given Eight Years” – from The Boston Globe on September 10.

3) “Casino Developer Gilley Pleads Guilty” – from  The Tuscaloosa News (Associated Press) on April 21.

2) “Weiner Resigns in Chaotic Final Scene” – from The New York Times on June 16.

And here it is, the number one most egregious news item of 2011 …

1) “Sen. Ensign, Under Ethics Inquiry, Admits No Wrongdoing But Says He Will Resign” – from The Washington Post on April 21.

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