The Formula
Each case is scored on five factors, 0–10, from documented public records: disclosure filings, voting records, contracts, court documents, and on-the-record statements. Factor scores are multiplied by fixed weights and summed. Maximum score: 100 Nixons. Watergate, scored retroactively, defines the ceiling.
Dollar value of the benefit received, log-scaled. A steak dinner and a jumbo jet should not score linearly.
Degree to which the benefit accrues to the official personally versus the state or public.
Extent to which the giver has active interests before the official's government.
Whether required legal and oversight processes were followed, bypassed, or disputed.
Whether the conduct was hidden, denied, or covered up. The cover-up is often the crime.
Three commitments. The formula is public before any case is scored. It applies to officials of every party. Every input cites a public record. Disagree with a score? The inputs are all listed and open to dispute.