Lester Matz, a partner in Matz, Childs and Associates, a Baltimore engineering firm, made political donations to Spiro T. Agnew, a rising politician, in hopes of receiving county engineering contracts. When the company was awarded with several county engineering contracts, they paid Agnew a percentage of their fees as a kickback for being receiving the contract. Matz, Childs and Associates grew, as did the size of contracts awarded as Agnew was elected governor of Maryland and later vice president of the United States. Eventually, the activity of bribes and kickbacks was noticed, which ultimately led to the disgrace and resignation of Spiro T. Agnew from his vice presidency. Matz, Childs and Associates were able to avoid penalty by cooperating with federal prosecutors.
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Cohen, R.M. A Heartbeat Away: The Investigation and Resignation of Vice President Spiro T. Agnew. Viking, New York, 1974.