Richard Nixon’s involvement in the Watergate coverup is common knowledge. One thing that is not quite as well known is that he was also accused of being involved in illegally raising the price of the McDonald’s Quarter Pounder cheeseburgers. According to a book published by the New York Times titled The Offences of Richard M. Nixon (1973), among twenty-eight criminal violations by the president is one for receiving bribes from Ray Kroc, Chairman of the Board of McDonald’s.
After McDonald’s raised the price of their cheeseburger from 59¢ to 65¢ without authorization or notification, the Price Commission ordered the price lowered. But after Kroc gave over $200,000 to Nixon’s campaign, the Price Commission reversed its decision. This money was “solicited and obtained… in violation of article II, section 4 of the Constitution and sections 201, 372, 872 and 1505 of the Criminal Code.”
Source:
Stephens, John Richard. “American Presidents.” Weird History 101: Tales of Intrigue, Mayhem, and Outrageous Behavior. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2006. 261. Print.
Further Reading:
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Price controls are bullshit too.