Arnold Schwarzenegger

During the 2003 campaign, several women stated that Schwarzenegger had touched, kissed or sexually humiliated them without consent over several decades. At the time, he admitted that he had sometimes 'behaved badly' and offered a general apology, while maintaining that most specific accounts were untrue.

Attribution

Personally implicated

After leaving office as Governor, Schwarzenegger acknowledged having had a relationship with Mildred Baena, an employee in the family home, and fathering a son with her while he was married to Maria Shriver. Shriver filed for divorce in 2011.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Personally implicated

In the final hours of his term, Schwarzenegger reduced the sentence of Esteban Núñez, son of his political ally Fabian Núñez, from 16 to 7 years. Núñez had been convicted of voluntary manslaughter and assault following a fight. The victim's family and the prosecutor condemned alleged favouritism and the lack of prior notification.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

British presenter Anna Richardson sued Schwarzenegger and two associates for defamation after alleging that he had touched her inappropriately during a 2000 interview and that his team had subsequently publicly portrayed Richardson as the instigator of the incident.

State of the evidence

Settlement

Attribution

Accused

Schwarzenegger stated that he did not regret using steroids during his bodybuilding career, explaining that they were new at the time and that he used them under medical supervision.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Personally implicated

Two days before taking office, Schwarzenegger had signed an agreement with a bodybuilding magazine publisher providing, among other things, for a share of advertising revenue, estimated at more than 8 million dollars over five years. A substantial proportion of that revenue came from supplement manufacturers, while he had vetoed legislation concerning them.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Schwarzenegger denied clemency to death-row prisoner Stanley 'Tookie' Williams, who had gained international recognition for his anti-gang work while imprisoned. The execution triggered strong reactions in Europe, particularly in Schwarzenegger's native region of Austria.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

As Governor, Schwarzenegger called Democratic legislators 'girlie men', accusing them of lacking courage during budget negotiations and borrowing a phrase from a Saturday Night Live sketch.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

In a 1977 interview with Oui magazine, Schwarzenegger described group sexual experiences, acknowledged using marijuana and hashish and used a slur against gay men. The interview resurfaced during his 2003 campaign for Governor of California.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

On the eve of the 2003 California election, excerpts from earlier conversations were presented as showing Schwarzenegger admiring Adolf Hitler's oratory and ability to mobilise people. The controversy attracted widespread national attention.

State of the evidence

Documented