Why do politicians and other famous people risk their careers?

They don't think they are going to get caught, just like shop lifters don't. They think they are invisible, and that God is going to overlook them. They think they can live anyway they want to and that they are just going to waltz right into heaven. The rest of us are going to stand before God and answer for the things we did in life, but these people are narcissistic and think God is going to overlook them. The power of their job goes to their head.

Frankly, it is a combination of three variables.

Lust

Pride

Vanity

I want to make it clear that I am not judging the mistakes of others or attempting to point a finger at these individuals and say look how bad you are. This is not some observation based upon religious insight either. However, from the perspective of wisdom combined with what you just wrote about lost careers, family turmoil, etc. I must say that I must admit there is a good reason why Lust Pride and Vanity are apart of the seven deadly sins. For you see, there may be speculation amongst people about how lust pride and vanity may affect a Deity, however, there can be no mistake or speculation about how lust pride and vanity affects us as human beings and the imminent peril that ensues when we loose control and allow ourselves to be ruled by our lower selves.

This type of behavior becomes a fundamental part of the reason these people keep seeking office. Power. They end up feeling invincible and they can't help but feed that beast. It is really about having what most people can't have. It is about power not just about sex.