Bertram L. Podell
Bertram L. "Bert" Podell (December 27, 1925 – August 17, 2005) was a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York.
Life
He was born on December 27, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York City. He began attending college in 1943, but left to join the United States Navy for World War II, and he served from 1944 until 1946. Podell graduated from St. John's University in 1947 and Brooklyn Law School in 1950. Podell practiced in New York City, and specialized in real estate law.
Podell was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1955 to 1968, sitting in the 170th, 171st, 172nd, 173rd, 174th, 175th, 176th and 177th New York State Legislatures.
He was elected as a Democrat to the 90th United States Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Abraham J. Multer. He was re-elected to the 91st, 92nd and 93rd United States Congresses, holding office from February 20, 1968, to January 3, 1975.
In 1973, Podell was charged with bribery for allegedly accepting money to arrange approval of a route to the The Bahamas for a small Florida-based airline. The case was one of the first events that brought public attention to Rudolph Giuliani, then a prosecutor in the office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.[1] The trial took a dramatic turn when Giuliani aggressively cross-examined Podell, causing him to lose his composure and ask for a recess, after which he agreed to plead guilty to reduced charges of conspiracy and conflict of interest. He was sentenced to a $5,000 fine and six months (24 weeks) in prison, of which he served 18 weeks. Podell and his co-defendant had attempted to withdraw their guilty pleas, but their motion was denied. They then unsuccessfully appealed their convictions.[2][3][4]
Podell was defeated in the 1974 Democratic primary by Stephen J. Solarz who went on to win the general election. Podell was disbarred after his conviction, but the disbarment was lifted by court order in 1980 because a state law passed in 1979 did away with automatic disbarment for lawyers convicted under federal law if their crimes were not considered felonies under state law. After regaining his law license Podell continued to practice until shortly before his death.[5]
Podell died in New York City on August 17, 2005.[6]
References
- ↑ The Political Scene: Mayberry Man: Reporting & Essays: The New Yorker
- ↑ Associated Press (December 30, 1960). "New York Democrat Enters Guilty Plea". Montana Standard. p. 14.
- ↑ "519 F.2d 144 UNITED STATES of America, Appellee, v. Bertram L. PODELL and Martin Miller, Appellants. Nos. 866, 875, Dockets 75-1019, 75-1030.". http://njlaw.rutgers.edu/''. Rutgers University. June 24, 1975.
- ↑ Associated Press (January 10, 1975). "Ex-Lawmaker is Sentenced". Toledo Blade. p. 8.
- ↑ Stone, Kurt F. (2011). The Jews of Capitol Hill: A Compendium of Jewish Congressional Members. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, Inc. p. 240. ISBN 978-0-8108-5731-5.
- ↑ Wolfgang, Saxon (August 19, 2005). "Bertram Podell, Ex-Congressman, Dies at 79". New York Times.
Sources
| New York Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Thomas A. Dwyer |
New York State Assembly Kings County, 21st District 1955–1965 |
Succeeded by district abolished |
| Preceded by new district |
New York State Assembly 53rd District 1966 |
Succeeded by William J. Giordano |
| Preceded by Stanley Steingut |
New York State Assembly 44th District 1967–1968 |
Succeeded by Sidney A. Lichtman |
| United States House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by Abraham J. Multer |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 13th congressional district 1968–1975 |
Succeeded by Stephen J. Solarz |