California: Agnew Agonistes

Agnew Agonistes

Anyone who doubts that sheer gall knows no bounds should consider the case of former Vice President Spiro Agnew. In 1973 Agnew was forced to resign as Richard Nixon's Veep amid charges that while Governor of Maryland he accepted $147,500 in illegal kickbacks from highway contractors. Nine years later, after settling down in tony Rancho Mirage, Calif., Agnew paid the state of Maryland $248,735 in restitution for the alleged bribes, plus interest and fines. But Agnew, who became an international business consultant after leaving the Government, deducted the entire amount, plus legal fees and interest, from his California tax return, claiming...

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