Bag Man

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This gripping account reveals the lesser-known scandal that shook Nixon's White House and set new precedents for presidential corruption. In 1973, Spiro T. Agnew, Nixon's vice president and a former Maryland governor, ran a bribery and extortion scheme while the nation was preoccupied with Watergate. As young federal prosecutors uncovered Agnew's crimes, they raced against time to prevent him from ascending to the presidency amid Nixon's downfall. Agnew, a self-proclaimed "counterpuncher," fought back fiercely, dismissing the investigation as a "witch hunt," rallying his supporters, and attempting to obstruct justice to protect himself. This narrative details the investigation that ultimately exposed Agnew's wrongdoing, the cover-up efforts involving future president George H. W. Bush, and the negotiations that led to Agnew's resignation while avoiding prison time. Based on the acclaimed podcast, this work expands on the story of Agnew's scandal and its enduring impact on American politics, media, and the challenges of confronting corruption at the highest levels of government.