What was Ben Franklin accused of?

Benjamin Franklin faced numerous accusations throughout his long public career, ranging from political corruption to moral impropriety and scientific plagiarism. During his time as a colonial agent in London, he was accused of mishandling funds and engaging in questionable financial dealings related to postal services and land speculation, which damaged his reputation among British officials. Critics also frequently attacked his personal character, accusing him of being a libertine and womanizer due to his well-documented relationships with women in Paris and London, though these claims were often exaggerated by political enemies. Additionally, some detractors alleged that he stole ideas for his electrical experiments from European scientists, although modern historians generally credit him with original contributions. Perhaps most seriously, Loyalists during the Revolutionary War accused him of treason against the Crown, while some radical Patriots later suspected him of harboring secret sympathies for Britain because of his extended residence there and his pragmatic approach to diplomacy, making him a figure of suspicion across the entire political spectrum.