When de Lesseps' project turned out to be a massive failure, the company was placed into liquidation in February 1889. Not only had his construction work been a disaster primarily because of disease, but his company also filed for bankruptcy after some $237 million was spent on what would eventually turn out to be nothing. Following accusations of bribery, mismanagement and corruption, an official government inquiry was set up in 1892 that resulted in de Lesseps, his son Charles and a number of the leading associates being charged for fraud and sentenced to imprisonment.
