# The Milk Case

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The Milk Case was a 1974 corruption scandal in the United States involving the administration of Richard Nixon and the secretary of the treasury John Connally. The case revolved around revelations that the Nixon campaign accepted contributions from Dairy Farmers of America in exchange for an increase to the federal price of milk.

## Background

In 1971, the Nixon administration faced pressure from dairy producers seeking higher federal price supports for milk. These supports were crucial for stabilizing milk prices and ensuring profitability for dairy farmers. At the time, the administration was also actively fundraising for Nixon’s re-election campaign.

## Allegations of impropriety

Investigations revealed that the Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI), a major dairy cooperative, had pledged significant financial contributions to Nixon’s campaign. In August 1969, a lawyer for AMPI delivered $100,000 in a briefcase to Herbert Kalmbach, President Nixon’s personal attorney. This transaction raised suspicions of a quid pro quo arrangement, suggesting that the administration’s subsequent decision to raise milk price supports was influenced by these contributions.

## Legal proceedings

The scandal led to legal actions against key figures. In July 1974, former Treasury Secretary John B. Connally Jr. was indicted on charges including accepting illegal payments, perjury, and obstruction of justice. The indictment alleged that Connally had received $10,000 from AMPI in exchange for influencing the administration’s decision on milk price supports.
The prosecution’s case relied heavily on testimony from Jake Jacobsen, a lawyer for the milk producers, who claimed to have delivered the payments to Connally. However, Connally was acquitted of all charges in 1975, as the jury found insufficient evidence to convict him.