History Main / TreacheryCoverUp

* In ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAs'', [[spoiler:Admiral Graham's plan to seal the Book of Darkness away with Hayate]] is largely overlooked outside of the upper echelons of the TSAB, and he [[KarmaHoudini merely resigns]], only being officially accused of breaking into Bureau systems and interfering with the investigation. In ''Audioplay/StrikersSoundStageX'' it is mentioned that many parts of the Jail Scaglietti incident are classified, presumably including [[spoiler:Jail's origins and connection to the Bureau, which had created him]].

* In ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'', [[spoiler:Leonardo Lionheart]] tries to defect to the villains' side, but [[RewardedAsATraitorDeserved ends up dead by their hand]]. In the following episode, Qrow notes that the former's treachery won't become public knowledge.

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[[folder:Web Original]]
* In ''Literature/{{Worm}}'', the public is not informed that [[spoiler:Armsmaster]] is actually under house arrest for [[spoiler:violating the truce during the Leviathan attack]].
** The trope also gets played with: [[spoiler:Alexandria's]] true crimes are are covered up with a ''different'' set of crimes, because [[spoiler:she was a renowned hero, and the government wanted to avoid people being dispirited by her death, but couldn't afford to expose her true actions.]]

* Done in ''TheSimpsons'' concerning Jebidiah Springfield (posthumously).

* In ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha A''[='=]s, [[spoiler:Admiral Graham's plan to seal the Book of Darkness away with Hayate]] is largely overlooked outside of the upper echelons of the TSAB, and he [[KarmaHoudini merely resigns]], only being officially accused of breaking into Bureau systems and interfering with the investigation. In ''Audioplay/StrikersSoundStageX'' it is mentioned that many parts of the Jail Scaglietti incident are classified, presumably including [[spoiler:Jail's origins and connection to the Bureau, which had created him]].

* In ''Literature/HarryPotter'' fanfic [[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/2419807/1/The-Riddle-of-Jim-Lillian The Riddle Of Jim Lillian]], Hermione claims that it was Draco Malfoy who killed Ron, Neville and Luna, tortured Ginny, broke Harry's wand and leaked the Prophecy to Voldemort. In the final chapters, however, it's revealed that [[spoiler: Ron was the one who committed most of those crimes, with Ginny accidentally killing him when she attacked him in a rage after he revealed his treachery. Harry convinces Ginny and Hermione to lie that Draco - who has already committed numerous crimes as a Death Eater - committed Ron's crimes to protect the Weasleys, who would be vilified as the family of the traitorous Ron and blame themselves for Ron's turn to evil.]]

* In ''VideoGame/Persona5'', [[spoiler:members of TheConspiracy mean to send Joker/The Protagonist to jail as a SilentScapegoat to save their reputations instead of admitting fault after Shido's Change-Of-Heart-inspired confession of all their collective crimes.]] Maxing Confidants will avert this, though. [[spoiler: All the people Joker helped throughout the course of the game -- including his party members, which count a well-known model, his school's valedictorian, and a young woman from a wealthy family among its ranks; a determined journalist, his homeroom teacher, his probation officer, and a member of the National Diet, Japan's legislative body -- band together to gather enough evidence to get him released from prison. CMoF points, too, for members of the CorruptBureaucracy trying to keep tabs on him after and being stymied by the TeamPet disabling their car's engine.]]

* In ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha A''[='=]s, [[spoiler:Admiral Graham's plan to seal the Book of Darkness away with Hayate]] is largely overlooked outside of the upper echelons of the TSAB, and he [[KarmaHoudini merely resigns]], only being officially accused of breaking into Bureau systems and interfering with the investigation. In ''Audioplay/StrikerSSoundStageX'' it is mentioned that many parts of the Jail Scaglietti incident are classified, presumably including [[spoiler:Jail's origins and connection to the Bureau, which had created him]].

* After Haazan's manipulations are revealed in ''Comicbook/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'', the Jedi realize that they cannot let anyone know a sith rose within their own ranks. Or that he was able spark a small scale civil war. Keeping it a secret among themselves and blaming the damage to the Coruscant temple on the Mandalorians.

[[folder: Fan Fic]]

* In ''Film/TheRock'', a threat by a much-decorated Marine General to use chemical weapons against San Francisco was covered up, helped by the fact that the General threatened to launch the gas if the FBI alerted the media.
* In ''Film/XXxStateOfTheUnion'', the Secretary of Defence plotted to overthrow the government and kill the President, but was given a hero's funeral for rescuing the President because of just how massive an embarrassment that would have been. It certainly helped that the Secretary had every witness murdered, leaving only the people that would cover for him.
* Adcox in ''Film/{{Backdraft}}''.

* ''Film/{{Telefon}}'': Grigori Bortsov is sent to kill [[RenegadeRussian Nikolai Dalchimsky]] so the KGB will not have to reveal the fact it failed to shut down a network of sleeper agents. [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telefon_(film)]]
* ''Film/{{Assassination}}'': The mastermind behind the assassination attempts on the First Lady is a [[spoiler: high-ranking White House official]]. His death is reported as a medical condition to avoid a scandal. [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_(1987_film)]]

* By the end of ''Film/IronMan'', the government has concocted a story to cover up most of the final battle, including that TreacherousAdvisor Obidiah Stane disappeared in a plane crash whose wreckage was never found. It's doubtful that their TreacheryCoverUp story ever got a chance to play out, though, since [[spoiler: Tony completely breaks their script at the press conference and outs himself as Iron Man]].
* In the film ''Film/TheArtOfWar'', WesleySnipes's character is set up for the murder of the Chinese ambassador in the middle of US-China trade talks. After finding out that [[spoiler:a UN Liason/Covert Mission Control]] who was involved in the talks is the mastermind, he reveals the truth to the [[TheTriadsAndTheTongs Triads]]. She is murdered by a member of the Triads and is lauded as a hero, who gave her life to ensure the success of US-China trade relations. Of course, this also serves as a big "fuck you" to her, as she was secretly working on sabotaging the talks.
* ''Film/TheManWhoShotLibertyValance'' ended on an inversion. The reporters chose to cover up the fact the protagonist, a famous Senator and Vice-Presidential prospect, confessed that he did not kill the eponymous outlaw which made him a legendary figure.
* In ''Film/AFistfulOfDynamite'', that's what John decides to do with [[spoiler: Dr. Villega's]] treachery, due to the latter's [[TortureAlwaysWorks breaking only under torture]] and [[RedemptionEqualsDeath deliberate self-sacrifice to atone his deed]].

* ''Series/SeaQuestDSV''
** [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Games_(seaQuest_DSV) “Games”]]: Rubin Zellar says he was sentenced to a remote prison since none of his clients wanted to be exposed for collaborating with him. It is later discovered that at least 91% of the evidence against him was destroyed; the remaining was labeled top-secret.
** “Good Soldiers”: the [=SeaQuest=] is sent to destroy evidence of illegal medical experiments conducted by the [[spoiler: [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Earth_Oceans_Organization]] United Earth Oceans Organization]]. In addition to the fact that the enemies of the [[spoiler: UEO]] would gain a propaganda victory; the people involved in the illegal experiments are seen as heroes and or have become high ranking members of the organization.
* ''Franchise/StarTrek''
** [[http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Section_31 Section 31]] is able to remain hidden since those in the United Federation of Planets either: do not believe Section 31 exists, lack evidence, are working for them, or realize that exposure will undermine the government. Those that do oppose them, such as the [[http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/Kirk_cabal Kirk cabal]], lack the power and evidence to do anything useful.
** The [[spoiler: [[http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/Tezwa Tezwa]]]] incident and [[spoiler: [[http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/Min_Zife Min Zife’s]]]] involvement are covered up to avoid war.
* ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'':
** In "Sins of the Father", Worf's father is made a scapegoat for treason actually committed by Duras' father, because the Klingon government does not dare offend Duras' powerful family. When they did actually get around to cutting the family out (after Worf killed Duras), it resulted in civil war in the 2-part episode "Redemption".
** In "The Wounded", both Picard and Captain Macet of the Cardassians are eager to stop Captain Ben Maxwell when he goes on the warpath, destroying two Cardassian ships and a science station. Macet believes Maxwell is carrying out a personal vendetta, and Picard eventually concurs, while Maxwell claims the Cardassians are gearing up for war. Maxwell breaks down, surrenders and calls off another attack, but Picard realizes [[TheExtremistWasRight he was right]]. He tells Macet this, but assures him he'll keep it between them so as to preserve peace between their races.
* In the ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' episode "Dax", such a coverup is the reason Dax symbiont is charged with treason. [[spoiler: It was the actual traitor who got killed]].

* ''SpaceAboveAndBeyond'': The Chig War starts due to political-industrial deceptions. Nevertheless, there is no proof other than rumors.
* In the ''Series/{{Firefly}}'' episode "Ariel," Jayne, about to be ThrownOutTheAirlock by Mal for betraying Simon and River to the Alliance, pleads with Mal -- not for his life (he already tried that and failed), but for Mal to make up a story to conceal his guilt. This convinced Mal to give him another chance.

** Unfortunately for Jayne, the cover-up itself doesn't last long, at least in regards to the ones he betrayed. Those darned PsychicPowers....

* In ''Series/DoctorWho'', when Time Lord Presidential candidate Chancellor Goth was revealed to have assassinated the President to further the Master's scheme, [[ReasonableAuthorityFigure Borusa]] ordered that his YouHaveFailedMe death be explained as dying heroically fighting the Master.
* Percy from the 2010 show ''Series/{{Nikita}}'' uses this to his advantage. The reason Government officials have not shut down Percy and Division long ago is that Percy has numerous "black boxes" (black portable hard drives) that contain all of the government's dirty secrets on them, hidden, and they can be activated to be shown to the public if Percy so chooses, and if he is killed, which is why he is untouchable and is the reason why Nikita can't just easily infiltrate and kill him
* In ''Series/{{Fringe}}'', John Scott's betrayal is covered up to prevent scandal touching the FBI. Which is rather a good thing as it later transpires [[spoiler: that he wasn't a traitor at all, but deep undercover.]]
* [[Series/{{Castle}} Team Castle]] agrees to cover up [[spoiler:Captain Montgomery's]] shameful past because of his years spent as TheAtoner. Plus, [[NeverSpeakIllOfTheDead he's dead.]]

* In ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'', the Imperium of Man has tried to bury all records of the Literature/HorusHeresy, under the logic that citizens would only be upset to learn that in the Imperium's golden age fully half of the [[SuperSoldier Adeptus Astartes]] Legions went renegade, bowed to the Chaos Gods, and nearly destroyed human civilization. How effective this cover-up has been [[DependingOnTheWriter depends on the edition and writer]], so in some cases Horus is known as an arch-heretic, while in others Imperial forces are shocked when Chaos Space Marines start firing on them.

* In ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'', Worf's father is made a scapegoat for treason actually committed by Duras' father, because the Klingon government does not dare offend Duras' powerful family. When they did actually get around to cutting the family out (after Worf killed Duras), it resulted in civil war.
** In "The Wounded", both Picard and Captain Macet of the Cardassians are eager to stop Captain Ben Maxwell when he goes on the warpath, destroying two Cardassian ships and a science station. Macet believes Maxwell is carrying out a personal vendetta, and Picard eventually concurs, while Maxwell claims the Cardassians are gearing up for war. Maxwell breaks down, surrenders and calls off another attack, but Picard realizes [[TheCloudCuckoolanderWasRight he was right]]. He tells Macet this, but assures him he'll keep it between them so as to preserve peace between their races.

* In ''Literature/HarryPotter'' fanfic [[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/2419807/1/The-Riddle-of-Jim-Lillian The Riddle Of Jim Lillian]], Hermione claims that it was Draco Malfoy who killed Ron, Neville and Luna, tortured Ginny, broke Harry's wand and leaked the Prophecy to Voldemort. In the final chapters, however, it's revealed that [[spoiler: Ron was the one who committed most of those crimes, with Ginny accidentally killing him when she attacked him in a rage after he revealed his treachery. Harry convinces Ginny and Hermione to lie that Draco committed Ron's crimes to protect the Weasleys, who would be vilified as the family of the traitorous Ron and blame themselves for Ron's turn to evil.]]

* Twisted a bit in the ''Literature/{{Elenium}}''. The person who's been blackmailed into trying to murder Sparhawk for half a book [[CyanidePill takes poison]] before confessing, and expects to be outed as a traitor. Instead, Sparhawk and Kurik arrange matters so everyone will think one of the besieging army shot him.

The villain has betrayed his team, or his country, or the entire human race. Now, he's been defeated... but there's just one complication. If the traitor's guilt is revealed, there will be consequences -- perhaps his friends will seek revenge, or perhaps good people will also be dragged down, or perhaps the people's confidence in the whole system will be shaken.

Subtrope of InternalRetcon. Compare NeverSpeakIllOfTheDead and ThePowerOfLegacy.

** [[DefiedTrope Defied]] by Admiral Fujitora at the end of the Dressrosa arc. After hearing the aforementioned Smoker's frustrations about the Alabasta incident, he ensured that the government could not repeat this for Dressrosa (and give him the credit) by publicly broadcasting the truth (that the Straw Hats and their allies were the ones who brought down the Donquixote Family and saved the kingdom) to all neighboring islands ''before'' reporting the incident to his superior, meaning that the Government has no choice but to publicly acknowledge the real version of the story. Said superior, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki/Akainu, is ''not'' happy.

** [[DefiedTrope Defied]] by Admiral Fujitora at the end of the Dressrosa arc. After hearing the aforementioned Smoker's frustrations about the Alabasta incident, he ensured that the government could not repeat this for Dressrosa and give him the credit by publicly broadcasting the truth to all neighboring islands ''before'' reporting the incident to his superior, meaning that the Government has no choice but to publicly acknowledge the real version of the story. Said superior, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki/Akainu, is ''not'' happy.

** ''The Cardinal of the Kremlin'': The defection of [[spoiler: Nikolay Borissovich Gerasimov]] is covered up by the American and Soviet governments to avoid political problems with an arms control treaty. Several Soviet characters state that the court-martial of 'Cardinal' might not be possible since he is a war hero.
* Prince Serg in Creator/LoisMcMasterBujold's ''[[Literature/VorkosiganSaga Shards of Honor]]''.

* At the end of ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'', [[TheDragon the Fuhrer]] was credited as having been a major force against the generals supposedly orchestrating the "alchemic experiment". In fact, [[spoiler:he had been one of the driving forces for its completion and had brought the generals into the scheme]]. However, he was far too popular with the people and the evidence against him was lacking.