With leaders twisted, taken advantage of and prosecuted (4)
I believe the answer is:
sued
'prosecuted' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sued that I've seen before include "Brought an action against" , "Started legal proceedings against (someone)" , "taken to court" , "Prosecuted" , "Took legal action against" .)