Bertram L. Podell

Bertram L. Podell, New York Congressman

Bertram L. "Bert" Podell (December 27, 1925 – August 17, 2005) was an American politician who served in the New York State Assembly for six terms and part of a seventh, and was a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York for part of one term and three full terms.

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

Sources

• Bertram L. Podell at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

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