The most powerful American ever to go to prison?

Vice President Agnew didn't go to jail. Dan Rostenkowski, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee did go. So did Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich. Is there someone more powerful than those guys who have actually done prison time?

Speaker of the house republican forget his name?

Soon obama for ordering wiretaps against trumps people. Hillary for giving our nuclear material to the Russians for donations to her fund.

Hastert. Thanks! His Wikipedia page says he's the highest-ranking federal official to be jailed.

John Mitchell, Nixon's former Attorney General--ironic, since the AG is the top law enforcement official.

Yes Pete, he is. The Speaker is stated in statute as second in line (behind the Vice-President) to succeed the President. The Attorney General is fourth among cabinet members. So, Dennis Hastert claims the "highest" prize, dubious as it is.

Keep in mind though that Vice President Aaron Burr was the highest official to be charged (Treason) with a crime (acquitted) along with Spiro Agnew as VP pled guilty to a federal felony charge and sentenced to probation (no, President Clinton was not charged).

I don't think Mitchell went to prison.

Clinton was impeached people forget that fact.

That's incorrect. Mitchell, Haldeman, Dean, Ehrlichman, and Colson were among the highest ranking Nixon administration officials who went to prison.

Going back to the original question, I think Jimmy Hoffa and John Gotti would be considered powerful Americans who served time. Bernie Madoff also fits that description - he helped create the NASDAQ.