Charged On Tax Evasion And Just About Became President

It was this day, October 10, 1973, the Vice President of the United States, Spiro Agnew resigned from office.

He was charged with tax evasion. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to three years probation.

Agnew became only the second Vice President in our country's history to resign from office. And the first one to resign because of criminal charges.

John C. Calhoun resigned as Vice President in 1832 to take a seat in the Senate.

In 1973, Agnew was investigated by the United States Attorney's office for the District of Maryland, on charges of extortion, tax fraud, bribery, and conspiracy.

And here's something to think about. Had Agnew remained as Vice President when Nixon resigned just 10 months later, Agnew himself would have become the 38th President of The United States.