Bag Man

Political power can sometimes conceal brazen wrongdoing. In the early 1970s, attention focused on the White House where a vice president stood accused of corruption. While many were captivated by concurrent events known as Watergate, another large-scale scandal was brewing. Here, a methodical group of federal prosecutors worked to uncover a network of kickbacks and bribes funneled through the office of the Vice President. Though challenging, their efforts ultimately toppled a powerful man whose shameless acts betrayed the public’s trust. In many ways, this saga was overshadowed by an even bigger White House crisis. Yet the story stands on its own as a testament to what happens when cunning politicians push their luck too far. By exploring the details behind the allegations and the mad dash to conceal them, we find a cautionary tale about overreach and justice. This introduction lays the groundwork for a deep dive into the characters, tactics, missteps, and redemption arcs that define this scandal.

Over the coming pages, you’ll learn about the investigators’ struggles, the suspect's brazen attempts to cling to power, and the quiet heroes who made certain that no one is above the law. Ultimately, these events reaffirm the power of accountability, even at the highest levels of government.

It began in what seemed like standard political dealings in local government. Contracts were handed out and generous kickbacks returned, fueling a cycle of illegal payments. Early on, this arrangement helped a rising politician climb the ladder of power—he saw it as a norm to exploit. Engineers, architects, and other professionals seeking municipal work soon realized the price of winning bids included under-the-table cash. The sums were not tremendous at first, but they grew as the politician’s ambition expanded. Eventually, the money flowed right into the office of a newly elected vice president.

Despite heightened visibility on the national stage, old habits die hard. Those cornered by investigators cracked under pressure, revealing how widely these corrupt practices had spread. Meanwhile, insiders scrambled to keep records hidden, bribes untraced, and rumors at bay. The scheme would likely have rumbled on if not for a determined group of young prosecutors. Equipped with forensic tax work, grand jury subpoenas, and dogged tenacity, they started to pick apart every suspicious check written and every hush-hush meeting arranged. The deeper they went, the closer they crept to the nation’s second-in-command.

Bravado from the accused only spurred them onward. Each new lead confirmed that the problem was not merely local graft but a pipeline of funds deliberately siphoned off. And now, it was contaminating the White House itself.