Garfield was implicated in the Credit Mobilier scandal that came to light during the Grant administration. He was accused of accepting ten shares of Credit Mobilier stock and a three hundred dollar loan from a company that had engaged in an illegal business venture with Union Pacific Railroad. He also allegedly accepted legal fees from a company that bid on a government contract for street repairs in Washington, D.C. Garfield had to testify before a legislative committee as to the Credit Mobilier scandal. He avoided any serious problems to his reputation and career.