The calculus of stonewalling

We consider a politician's choice of whether to be evaluated, either by sub jecting himself to a detailed interview or by asking for the appointment of a special prosecutor. If politicians are risk-neutral, then in equilibrium all choose to be evaluated. If politicians are risk-averse, then whether w hen they do or do not know the quality of their own actions, stable equilib ria may exist in which politicians can avoid evaluation, or prefer evaluati on by a body which can poorly discriminate between good and bad actions. Th e ability of voters to distinguish between good and bad politicians may the refore be limited.