George Beall (attorney)

George Beall
Born (1937-08-17)August 17, 1937
Frostburg, Maryland
Died January 15, 2017(2017-01-15) (aged 79)
Naples, Florida
Occupation attorney, prosecutor
Known for criminal prosecution of Spiro T. Agnew

George Beall (August 17, 1937 – January 15, 2017) was a prominent U.S. attorney. He is most widely known for prosecuting Vice President of the United States, Spiro Agnew, for bribery.[1] This prosecution led to Agnew's resignation as Vice President in 1973.[1]

Background

Beall was born in Frostburg, Maryland, on August 17, 1937 to his parents, U.S. Senator James Glenn Beall and the former Margaret Schwarzenbach.[1] He was one of three sons, the eldest being U.S. Senator John Glenn Beall Jr..[2][1]

Beall received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.[1] He died in Naples, Florida on January 15, 2017.[1]

Career

After clerking for Chief Judge Simon E. Sobeloff of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, then Governor of Maryland, Spiro Agnew appointed Beall, a fellow Republican, to the Maryland Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.[1] Beall was appointed United States attorney in 1970.[1]

Agnew investigation

He opened an investigation of corruption in Baltimore County of public officials and architects, engineering, and paving contractors.[1] One contractor, Lester Matz, stated that he had been paying "Agnew kickbacks in exchange for contracts for years — first when Agnew was the Baltimore County Executive, then when he was Governor of Maryland and Vice President."[1] Another witness, Jerome B. Wolff, head of Maryland's roads commission, stated that his attic was filled with documentation that detailed "every corrupt payment he participated in with then-Governor Agnew."[1]

Agnew resigned as Vice President and pleaded no contest to tax evasion in the sum of $13,551.47 for 1967.[1] He was fined $10,000 and avoided prison time.[1]

Private practice

Beall entered private practice in 1975 specializing in commercial litigation.[1] His clients included the Baltimore Ravens while owned by Art Modell.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Sandomir, Richard (18 January 2017). "George Beall, Prosecutor Who Brought Down Agnew, Dies at 79". New York Times. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  2. ↑ Cannon, James M. (1998). Time and Chance: Gerald Ford's Appointment with History. University of Michigan Press. p. 184. ISBN 0-472-08482-8.
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