Spiro T. Agnew: FBI & DOJ Files, Trial Transcript

Description

Spiro Agnew: Corruption, Investigation, and Resignation

Pre-1960s:

• February 1941 – February 1970: Spiro T. Agnew’s military service, documented in his Official Military Personnel File. This period includes his service documents, field file/jacket, correspondence, efficiency/fitness reports, and medical records.

1960s:

• 1960s (Undated): Spiro T. Agnew participates in a “five percent kick back from state contractors scheme” as governor of Maryland. (This is when the scheme allegedly began, though specific dates are not provided).
• 1969 – 1986 (mostly between 1969 and 1973): FBI investigation into Spiro T. Agnew, primarily focusing on bribery allegations and threats made against him. This investigation covers kickbacks, payments made to Agnew in his White House office, and unreported presidential campaign contributions.

1973:

• July 12, 1973: A meeting takes place with Attorney General Richardson, where discussions revolve around the problems of publicity, witness immunity, and notifying the President and Spiro Agnew of the ongoing investigation.
• September 11, 1973: An “Investigation Status Report on Spiro T. Agnew” is compiled, detailing leads and amassed evidence against Agnew.
• October 10, 1973:An “Exposition of the Evidence Against Spiro T. Agnew” is submitted to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland at Agnew’s arraignment. This document summarizes the evidence accumulated by the U.S. Attorney’s office.
• Spiro T. Agnew takes a nolo contendere plea to tax evasion charges.
• Agnew delivers an allocution, denying many of the accusations made against him.
• U.S. federal judge Walter E. Hoffman sentences Agnew to 3 years of probation and a $10,000 fine for a single count of failing to pay income tax on $29,500 of income.
• Spiro T. Agnew resigns as Vice President of the United States.

Post-1973:

• 1986: The FBI files on Spiro T. Agnew extend to this year, though the bulk of the investigation occurred between 1969 and 1973.

1996:

• 1996: Spiro Theodore Agnew passes away.

Cast of Characters

• Spiro Theodore Agnew (1918-1996): Former Governor of Maryland, Vice President of the United States under President Richard Nixon. He was investigated for corruption, including a five percent kickback scheme as governor, payments in the White House, and unreported campaign contributions. He pleaded nolo contendere to a single count of tax evasion, was sentenced to probation and a fine, and resigned from his vice presidency.
• Richard Nixon: President of the United States during Agnew’s vice presidency. He was notified of the investigation into Agnew.
• Attorney General Richardson: The U.S. Attorney General who was involved in discussions regarding the Agnew investigation, including publicity, witness immunity, and notification procedures.
• Walter E. Hoffman: A U.S. federal judge who presided over Agnew’s trial, accepted his nolo contendere plea, and delivered his sentence.
• Lester Matz: An associate of Spiro Agnew who provided information and potential testimony to the U.S. Attorneys, detailing circumstances under which money was exchanged with Agnew.
• John C. Childs: An associate of Spiro Agnew who, along with Lester Matz, provided information and potential testimony to the U.S. Attorneys regarding money exchanges with Agnew.
• Mark O. Hatfield (1922-2011): Former Republican United States Senator, author of “Vice Presidents of the United States 1789-1993,” which includes a chapter on Spiro T. Agnew.
• Informants: Unnamed individuals who underwent polygraph tests and provided allegations to the FBI regarding Agnew’s corruption.
• State Contractors (Maryland): Individuals or entities from whom Agnew allegedly received a five percent kickback as governor of Maryland.