List of scandals with "-gate" suffix

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Suffixes

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The suffix -gate derives from the Watergate scandal of the United States in the early 1970s, which resulted in the resignation of U.S. President Richard Nixon. The word "Watergate" is derived from the Watergate Complex, where the scandal started. On June 17, 1972, agents of the Nixon White House and the Nixon reelection campaign were arrested while breaking into the office of the Democratic National Committee, which at the time was located in the Watergate Complex (a combination of residences and offices located near the Potomac River) in Washington, D.C. Over the course of the next two years, the scandal grew from what initially appeared to be a relatively small and inconsequential event to become one of the biggest political controversies in U.S. history.

Since the Watergate scandal, the media has on occasion referred to social or political scandals by adding the suffix "-gate" to one of the key words used to describe the scandal. This new label has sometimes stuck but often a new name is used. The process is known as -gate construction ^[1].

[edit] Widely recognized scandals with a gate suffix

Attorneygate - controversy surrounding the dismissal of eight United States Attorneys allegedly for reasons of political ideology
Baftagate — Controversy surrounding votes at the 1991 BAFTA television awards.
Bandargate — a political scandal in Bahrain surrounding attempts by government officials to rig the parliamentary elections and politically marginalize the Shia population.
Billygate — U.S. President Jimmy Carter's brother, Billy Carter, legally represented a Libyan terrorist "Billygate - 1980", The Washington Post, 1998.
Camillagate — tape of a telephone conversation between Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker-Bowles scroll to 1992.
Cheriegate — concerning Cherie Blair's association with Carole Caplin, and through her to the convicted fraudster Peter Foster. "Curse of 'Cheriegate' strikes again", The Scotsman, 2005-06-18.
Chinagate (also "Campaign finance scandal"). — Allegations that China illegally attempted to funnel campaign funds to the Democratic Party of the United States during the 1996 elections.
Closetgate — Amid the Scientologist uproar following South Park's Trapped in the Closet, this term was coined in the Los Angeles Times to describe the controversy.
Coingate — the mishandling of Ohio government funds entrusted to Republican operatives, involving rare coin funds "Gov. Taft sued over ‘Coingate' scandal", WKYC, 2005-07-06.
Fajitagate — In November of 2002, three off-duty San Francisco police officers allegedly assaulted two civilians over a bag of steak fajitas (which were mistaken as drugs), leading to the arrest of the Chief of Police.
Filegate — The illegal possession and scrutiny of 300-900 FBI files by the Clinton Administration without the file's subject's permission.
Foleygate, in which senior Republican leadership allegedly covered-up instances of Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) exhanging sexually explicit instant messages with under-age pages.
Grannygate, a scandal in rugby league involving New Zealand players and their family history. The term was most recently invoked in the 2006 Rugby League Tri-Nations series, where New Zealand was penalised for fielding former Queensland hooker Nathan Fien.
Hookergate — The US Cunningham Scandal in which defense contractors paid bribes to members of Congress and officials in the US Defense Department, in return for political favors in the form of federal contracts.
Irangate or Contragate — (Usually referred to as the Iran-Contra affair) — The Reagan Administration sold weapons to Iran and diverted the proceeds to the Contra rebels in Nicaragua. "1989: Irangate colonel avoids prison", St Louis Post-Dispatch, 1989-07-05.
Iraqgate — A Finnish scandal involving the leaking of secret documents to Anneli Jäätteenmäki, which helped bring down Paavo Lipponen's government. Later, it also bought down Jäätteenmäki’s government.
Katrinagate (also "FEMAgate,")— used by people who disapproved of government response to Hurricane Katrina.
Kazakhgate — scandal surrounding James Giffen, an American businessman and former advisor of Nazarbayev, the president of Kazakhstan, who paid $78 million in bribes to high-level Kazakhstani officials to secure the oil contracts for Western companies in the 1990s.
Kremlingate — The diversion of $4.8 billion in funds from the IMF to Russia by Bank Menatep, owned by Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
Kobegate — Accusations of rape in a Colorado hotel against Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant that almost ruined his pro-basketball career.
Mabelgate - Scandal about the relationship of Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau with drug kingpin Klaas Bruinsma.
Macacagate — referring to the controversial speech by Virginia Senator George Allen on August 11, 2006; and its aftermath.
Monicagate, Lewinskygate, Tailgate, or Sexgate ("Zippergate", "the Lewinsky scandal") — named after Monica Lewinsky who had an "inappropriate relationship" with the then–US President, Bill Clinton.
Muldergate — South African political scandal of the late 1970s in which funds were clandestinely diverted by defence minister Connie Mulder for overseas propaganda in support of the apartheid regime. The scandal brought about the downfall of BJ Vorster.
Nipplegate — Justin Timberlake reveals Janet Jackson's nipple during the halftime show of Super Bowl XXXVIII. Called "teatgate" by Jon Stewart.
Plamegate (also "Leakgate," Plame affair) — the revealing, by Robert Novak, of the name of Valerie Plame. Lewis Libby allegedly leaked to the media the identity of a covert CIA agent who worked on WMDs, in retaliation for her husband, Joseph C. Wilson, criticizing George W. Bush's justification for the invasion of Iraq. Critics of the investigation have referred to it as Nadagate.
Rathergate (also "Memogate") — Faxed copies of forged memos, that were presented on 60 Minutes in 2004, claimed President George W. Bush was derelict in his duty in the Texas Air National Guard in 1972.
Reutersgate The controversy over Reuters photographer Adnan Hajj manipulating news photos with Photoshop.
Rinkagate
Skategate, 2002. An international sports scandal involving figure skating judging at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Shawinigate, 1999. A Canadian scandal involving then-Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's profiting from real estate deals in his home riding of Shawinigan, Quebec
Sirengate, a 2006 controversy in the Australian rules football match at Aurora Stadium where the final siren was not heard by an umpire, leading to an investigation and a reversal of result.
Squidgygate/Dianagate — tape of a telephone conversation between Diana, Princess of Wales and a male friend.
Stormontgate, a British spy reveals himself to be spying on Sinn Fein.
Travelgate — Linked to Filegate, the firings and reinstatement of several people at the White House Travel Office. "How Clintons took control of federal law enforcement", WorldNetDaily, 2005-07-07.
Troopergate — the allegations by two Arkansas state troopers that they arranged sexual liaisons for then-governor Bill Clinton.

[edit] Less well-known scandals with a gate suffix, or scandals that are in dispute of having a gate suffix

Aquagate — a mass panic that occurred on January 31, 2007 in Boston, Massachusetts regarding LED advertisements for the Adult Swim show Aqua Teen Hunger Force that were mistaken as bombs. Coined by the G4 Network.
Ashleegate - a scandal involving singer Ashlee Simpson, who was allegedly caught lip synching during a performance on Saturday Night Live in October 2004 when her vocal track started playing before she had raised the microphone to her mouth.^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]
Bananagate — 1975 scandal, in which Oswaldo López Arellano, President of Honduras, accepted a $1.2m bribe from US firm United Brands to halve the banana export levy
Bingogate — the use of charity funds for political purposes by the ruling New Democratic Party in British Columbia CBC.
Bloggate; the incident that occurred when a blog containing comments of an uncomplimentary nature was leaked onto Empire Online.
Buttongate — The tug-of-war that ran for two F1 seasons between WilliamsF1 and British American Racing over the services of Jenson Button
Blobbygate — applied to a dispute between Noel Edmonds and Lancaster City Council over the failure of a theme park; refers to Mr. Blobby, an Edmonds character.
Bluegate — The prosecution of Danish Minister of Trade Joseph Humphrey Nye in the mysterious death of Nikolai "Blue" Fukov
Caddygate — The use of state funds to purchase a Cadillac for Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick.
Casinogate — indictment of sitting Premier of British Columbia in casino licensing influence case
Chocogate — The robbery of millions of Z's from Andrew Reid.
Ciscogate — Michael Lynn's presentation at the 2005 Black Hat Briefings on a Cisco IOS security vulnerability and the related controversy.
Clarkegate — In the UK on April 2006 it was revealed Home Secretary Charles Clarke had failed to deport over 1,000 foreign criminals.
Clockgate — The 2001 University of Michigan and Michigan State University football game [1].
Cookiegate — 'Scandal' involving the improper use of browser cookies on internet users computers.
Corngate — The accidental release of genetically modified corn in New Zealand [2].
Debategate — Acquisition of Jimmy Carter's briefing books by Ronald Reagan's team before the presidential debates during the 1980 campaign. "Tapegate to be probed in B.C.", Ottawa Sun, 2005-06-22.
Donnygate — corruption amongst Doncaster councillors. "Donnygate scandal ends in jail terms", The Guardian, 2002-3-13.
Dossiergate or Dossiegate — Failed attempt by men of Brazilian Workers' Party to release a fake dossier against rival candidate for the government of São Paulo José Serra through Istoe magazine in October 2006's elections. They were arrested in possession of 1.7 million Reais in cash.
Drapegate — The use of state funds to purchase $16,000 drapes for the governor's office by Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick.
Fettesgate — a major scandal concerning the Lothian and Borders Police force in the 1990s, from its Fettes headquarters near Fettes College in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Fuddgate — alternate name given to the controversy surrounding Vice President Dick Cheney's shooting of Republican lawyer Harry Whittington during a quail-hunting trip in February 2006.
Funeralgate is the name given to a scandal involving George W. Bush and family campaign contributor Robert Waltrip, owner of Service Corporation International, the largest funeral home company in the world.
Gannongate — United States President George W. Bush's White House scandal involving free press conference passes for conservative James Dale Guckert under the false pseudonym Jeff Gannon "Gannongate threatens to expose a huge GOP pedophile and male prostitution ring", Online Journal, 2005-02-18.
Garbagegate, a 2005 scandal in San Jose, California, involving Mayor Ron Gonzales, and a under-the-table deal with the Norcal garbage company.
Gazzagate — Footballing scandal in 1998 involving footballer Paul Gascoigne's omission from the England squad for the forthcoming World Cup finals in France.
Gloriagate ""Gloriagate" still open-ended", Xinhua News Agency, 2005-07-11.
Goongate– The controversial St. Joseph's University/Temple University game during the 2004-05 NCAA season when Temple Owls head coach John Chaney, who was frustrated over missed foul call created by the St. Joseph Hawks (under head coach Phil Martelli), sent in a rarely-used Owls forward that injured a Hawks star player while committing a hard foul, causing him to miss the rest of the NCAA season. After the game, Chaney, aware of possible injuries on the Hawks player, suspended himself for the rest of the regular NCAA season, and was disciplined by both the NCAA and the Temple University leadership. Chaney would retire after the 2005-06 season.
Grindgate — Controversial sexual harassment incident that fractured tribal alliances on Survivor: Thailand
Gropegate — California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was alleged to have groped many women while working on movies.
Hansiegate — cricket match-fixing scandal involving South African captain Hansie Cronje.
Indygate - controversial Formula One race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in which 14 of 20 entrants did not start the race due to defective Michelin tires.
Iraqgate — Where Finnish opposition leader Anneli Jäätteenmäki used state secrets against prime minister Paavo Lipponen during the parliamentary election campaign.
Jowellgate — David Mills (lawyer), the husband of Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport received £340,000 from Silvio Berlusconi.
Jueteng-gate — Scandal involving Philippine president Joseph Estrada alleging that he amassed millions of dollars from an illegal numbers game called jueteng. As a result, he was depose through an uprising which was not fully regarded as valid.
Koreagate — South Korean businessman Tongsun Park's shady dealings with certain members of Congress (1976)."WIU professor fought abuse in native Korea", Journal Star, 2005-07-12.
Lancegate — Bert Lance is charged with taking a sweetheart loan. (Safire, Safire's Political Dictionary, 1978, pp 255)
Leijongate — computer espoionage carried out by Liberal People's Party (Sweden)
Lexusgate — Top financial officer of Hong Kong, Antony Leung purchased a Lexus right before a luxury car tax hike was announced. "Their jobs on the line", The Standard, 2005-06-09.
Mavili-gate — Political scandal in Greece concerning Vodafone Greece, named after Mavili Square in Athens.
Michaelgate — the supposed conspiracy against Michael Jackson that led to the 2005 trial of Michael Jackson. Was written about in a book by author Geraldine Hughes titled, "Michaelgate: The Conspiracy Theories".
Monklandsgate — scandal in Monklands, Scotland over allegations of sectarianism spending discrepancies between Protestant Airdrie and Catholic Coatbridge.
Nannygate — a scandal involving British Cabinet member David Blunkett fast tracking a visa application for his family's nanny "Telegraph owners fire Lawson", The Guardian, 2005-06-15.
Nannygate — noncitizen domestic help for U.S. attorney general nominees. Also the name of a scandal involving former New York City Police Chief Bernard Kerik
Nannygate — including the Swedish trade minister Maria Borelius and culture minister Cecilia Stegö Chilo who both hired live-in nannies without paying taxes[3][4].
Officegate — the investigation into Scottish First Minister Henry McLeish's decision to sub-let his constituency office (while still an MP), for which he was receiving full Westminster parliamentary expenses, without notifying Parliament, resulting in his resignation. "McLetchie glad of easy ride as he calms taxi storm", The Scotsman, 2005-06-23.
O'Learygate — a scandal involving the ruling New Democratic Party regarding a school superintendent who spent almost $2 million between 2002 and 2005 on a risky real estate development scheme in Manitoba."Land development, NDP style", The Black Rod, 2005-05-09.
Oilgate — the alleged use of PetroSA funds for African National Congress election campaigns "Oilgate: UN probes Iraq deals", Mail and Guardian, 2005-07-08.
Orlengate — corruption scandal in Poland "Polish privatisation scandal drags CRH into the fray", Sunday Business Post, 2005-07-03.
Paintergate — New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark signed the back to a painting that she did not paint that was to be sold at auction for charity.
Paksagate (Paksageitas) — Impeachment of president Rolandas Paksas of Lithuania
Pardongate — President Clinton's presidential pardons "Dick Morris: Hillary Surging, Thanks to GOP", NewsMax, 2005-06-21.
PEMEXGATE — scandal in Mexico dealing with funds from PEMEX the national oil company
P33ngate — the internet scandal in which nude pictures of Pete Wentz were released in the LiveJournal community OhNoTheyDidnt[5]
Phonegate — used for multiple scandals: in Minnesota in the early 1990s, New Hampshire in 2002, and Macedonia in 2004
Piñeragate, scandal in Chile involving secretly recorded phone calls to businessperson and politician Sebastián Piñera
Pizzagate — an alleged incident that occurred at Old Trafford following Manchester United's win over Arsenal in the 2004-05 season, ending the Gunners' run of 49 Premiership matches unbeaten. After a heated contest on the pitch, it was alleged that items of food had been thrown by Arsenal players towards the Manchester United players as they headed for their dressing room.[6]
Planegate- Term used to refer to the controversy that ensued after Nancy Pelosi requested a larger plane to fly to her home district of San Fransisco.
Pretzelgate — To explain a two-inch bruise on the face of U.S. President George W. Bush, he and his staff claim he hit his face on a coffee table after passing out because he choked on a pretzel. Some people felt the story was invented to cover-up the real cause of the bruise.
Quailgate — Describes a scandal when U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney accidentally shooting Harry Whittington during a quail hunt (see Dick Cheney hunting accident, February 2006).
Rascassegate — An incident in the 2006 Formula One season where Michael Schumacher stopped his car on the Rascasse corner during Qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix, blocking his main championship rival, Fernando Alonso.
Rinkagate — the scandal surrounding the attempts to silence Norman Scott who said he had a sexual affair with Liberal party leader Jeremy Thorpe. In an apparent attempt to frighten him, Scott's dog Rinka was shot by a hitman.
Rubbergate — alternate name for scandal in which members of the United States House of Representatives knowingly wrote overdrafts that were honored without penalty.
Rywingate — a recent scandal in Poland, named after Lew Rywin who, on July 22, 2002, demanded a 17.5 million USD bribe from Adam Michnik (Gazeta Wyborcza) claiming that he was sent by the then Prime Minister of Poland, Leszek Miller.
Sausagegate - 2003 incident in which Randall Simon hit a Milwaukee Brewers mascot with a bat during the "Sausage Race."
Sewergate — a graft scheme in South Carolina perpetrated by a local political family involving the construction of a city-wide sewer system.
Sharongate — the fictional scandal on television's EastEnders relating to the love triangle between Grant, Sharon, and Phil. BBC
Shawinigate — scandal over former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's alleged conflict-of-interest in real estate in his riding.
Shot in the Face Gate Alternate name given to the controversy surrounding Vice President Dick Cheney's shooting of Republican lawyer Harry Whittington during a quail-hunting trip in February 2006 and the suspected cover up. (See Dick Cheney hunting incident.)
Sirengate — the controversial finish and result of an Australian Football League game
Skategate — the scandal over the pairs figure skating results of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where a judge was apparently bribed to fix the outcome. The case went on for nearly two weeks before joint gold medals were granted.
Smudgegate — The ensuing controversy surrounding video evidence of a visible smudge of an unknown substance on the pitching hand of Detroit Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers during the 2006 ALCS.
Susurlukgate — The scandal caused by a fatal accident in Turkey's Susurluk town, after which it was found that among the slain and injured were one parliamentary deputy, a known right-wing gang leader, a former beauty queen, and a senior police officer. The scandal ended up exposing the cooperation between Turkish Government and elements from Organized Crime. Susurluk scandal.
Sponsorgate — The Canadian sponsorship scandal.
Squatgate — Malaysian lock-up detainee abuse scandal.
Squidgygate
Stormontgate — scandal involving an alleged Provisional IRA spy ring in Parliament Buildings, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Strippergate — Seattle City Council members Heidi Wills and Judy Nicastro vote for rezoning a strip club parking lot in exchange for unethical donations. "Four face charges in 'Strippergate' scandal", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 2005-07-12.
Strippergate — A scandal in Canada in 2004 with the Minister of Immigration Judy Sgro accused of granting a visa to a Romanian exotic dancer who worked for her campaign during the 2004 federal election.
Strippergate — San Diego City Council Members Michael Zucchet and Ralph Inzunza are, in 2005, convicted of accepting bribes from a strip club owner in a scheme to get the "no-touch" laws in San Diegan strip clubs repealed. The case was referred to with this name by at least one local television news station in San Diego.
Svengate "FA director Davies accused of sexual harassment", Reuters, 2005-06-21.
Tapegate — A Canadian scandal in which Conservative Member of Parliament Gurmant Grewal taped conversations with High Profile Liberals. "Tapegate to be probed in B.C.", Ottawa Sun, 2005-06-22.
Taxigate — a long-running dispute over receipts from taxi journeys which resulted in the resignation of the Leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, David McLetchie, in 2005
Templegate — In April 2006 in the UK Deputy Prime Minister suffered humiliation after his two year affair with his secretary Tracey Temple was revealed by the press. Images were published from office parties featuring Mr Prescott having his shirt removed by Miss Temple and the press revelations were compunded by his promotional election literature featuring an image of Mr Prescott and his wife saying "Family values". Further revelations suggested Mr Prescott also condited an affair with Rosalie Winterton MP.
Travelgate — "Travelgate MPs 'should not have lost seats'", Sunday Times, 2005-07-09.
Waterkantgate — In September of 1987 a political scandal in Germany erupted around the then incumbent prime minister of Schleswig-Holstein Uwe Barschel in the midst of an election, forcing him to resign. The scandal got his name from the Low German word for coast or coast-line: Waterkant. Political shockwaves would last into the 1990s and have consequences on both sides of the political spectrum. Uwe Barschel was later found dead in a hotel room in Switzerland, a death that draws controversy to this day whether it was a suicide, accident, or murder.
Whitewatergate — In 1994, President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary were accused of covering up shady investments.
Winegate — A French scandal in the 1970s involving the adulteration of Bordeaux wines. The first scandal after Watergate to be so named. (Safire, Safire's Political Dictionary, 1978, pp 255)