Bertram Podell

Background

He was born on December 27, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York City.

Education

Podell graduated from Saint John"s University in 1947 and Brooklyn Law School in 1950.

Career

He began attending college in 1943, but left to join the United States Navy for World World War II, and he served from 1944 until 1946. Podell practiced in New York City, and specialized in real estate law. 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 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 New York

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. Podell was disbarred by the Appellate Division due to his conviction, but re-instated in 1980, after a state law passed in 1979 made it possible for lawyers to retain their licences if they were convicted under federal law for crimes which were not considered felonies under state law. Afterwards Podell continued to practice law until shortly before his death.

Podell died in New York City on August 17, 2005.

Achievements

• Podell was defeated in the 1974 Democratic primary by Stephen J. Solarz who went on to win the general election.

Membership

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.