Spiro AgnewSpiro Agnew, Nixon's Vice President who resigned in a 1973 scandal, died September 17, 1996 at the age of 77.He was the son of a Greek immigrant, born November 9, 1918 outside Baltimore. He went on to become a lawyer before moving into politics. He won his first election, to become executive of Baltimore County in 1962. But, still, when he was elected Maryland governor in 1966, he was a virtual unknown. He passed an open housing law and anti-poverty programs. In 1968 Nixon picked him as his running mate. Campaigning as a get-tough, law and order political figure, he later strongly attacked Vietnam war protesters and students who questioned traditional values. Agnew was known for lashing out against affirmative action and open enrollment at state colleges. Often, he would sharply accuse the news media of a liberally biased view. He was re-elected with Nixon in 1972. Agnew resigned October 10, 1973, on charges of federal income tax evasion and corruption for accepting kickbacks from contractors. He was disbarred by the Maryland court of appeals in 1974, and ordered to pay $268,482 to cover his kickbacks, plus interest. After his disbarment, he worked as a middleman in international transactions. Agnew is the only Maryland governor without a portrait in the Maryland Governor's Reception Room. He asserts his innocence in his book "Go Quietly… or Else." (1980) Remembering Agnew, PBS Newshour September 18, 1996 Agnew from Seattletimes.com Another Side of Agnew, The Shore Journal Spiro Agnew, Prophit Without Honor, Patrick Buchanan |