Agnew at the Bar

The fortunes of Spiro T. Agnew spiral steadily downward. He has been off the federal payroll since last Oct. 10, the same day he pleaded nolo contendere to a charge of income tax evasion (though his perquisites still include a Government-paid staff of six, a Secret Service detail and a limousine). Friends have been able to raise only $40,000 toward paying his legal bills, which may exceed $200,000. Last week, rejecting Agnew's plea "not to strip me of my means of livelihood," a three-judge panel appointed by the Maryland Court of Appeals unanimously agreed that Agnew should be disbarred. Said the court: "We see no extenuating circumstances allowing a lesser sanction." A final ruling by the full Appeals Court is expected by March.

In the meantime, Agnew hopes to raise some ready cash by selling his suburban Maryland home outside Washington. The asking price for the 9-room Georgian-style house, which Agnew purchased for $190,000 about a year ago: $325,000. Most of the increase is the result of $125,000 worth of "protective improvements" ordered by the Secret Service. The former Vice President is not required to reimburse the Government for such improvements once out of office. Agnew still has not found a buyer, and even if he manages to get the price he is asking, there are still those irksome debts to pay.

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