Then there's the case of R. Budd Dwyer, treasurer of PA in the 80s. Was indicted and convicted on bribery charges and was constant in his claims of innocence. I'll sapre you the details. The day before his sentencing (which would end his ability to serve as treasurer) he called a press conference, which was carried live on PA t.v. stations. Says he's innocent, takes a gun out of a bag and blows his brains onto the wall behind him on live t.v. Wikipedia: "Since Dwyer died in office before being removed upon sentencing, his widow, Joanne, was able to collect full survivor benefits totaling over $1.28 million. A spokesman for Dwyer, immediately after the suicide, suggested Dwyer may have killed himself to retain the state-provided pension for his household, which had been ruined by legal defense costs."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._Bud_Dwyer