US Congressman. He served in the Navy during World War II (1944 to 1946), and graduated from St. John's University (1947) and Brooklyn Law School (1950), afterwards practicing law in New York City. A Democrat, in 1954 he won a seat in the New York State Assembly, serving from 1955 to 1968. In 1968 he won the special election for the US House seat vacated when Abraham Multer resigned. He won reelection three times and served from February 1968 to January 1975. In 1973 he was accused of accepting bribes to arrange approval of a route for a small airline, and he lost the September 1974 Democratic primary to Stephen Solarz, who then won the general election. Podell's trial began in October 1974, and he pled guilty to reduced charges after cross examination by Assistant US Attorney Rudolph Giuliani, the first time Giuliani attracted significant public attention. Podell was fined $5,000 and sentenced to six months in prison. He served four and a half months and was disbarred, but in 1980 he won an appeal to have his law license restored. Podell practiced law until June 2005, when he retired because of illness.
US Congressman. He served in the Navy during World War II (1944 to 1946), and graduated from St. John's University (1947) and Brooklyn Law School (1950), afterwards practicing law in New York City. A Democrat, in 1954 he won a seat in the New York State Assembly, serving from 1955 to 1968. In 1968 he won the special election for the US House seat vacated when Abraham Multer resigned. He won reelection three times and served from February 1968 to January 1975. In 1973 he was accused of accepting bribes to arrange approval of a route for a small airline, and he lost the September 1974 Democratic primary to Stephen Solarz, who then won the general election. Podell's trial began in October 1974, and he pled guilty to reduced charges after cross examination by Assistant US Attorney Rudolph Giuliani, the first time Giuliani attracted significant public attention. Podell was fined $5,000 and sentenced to six months in prison. He served four and a half months and was disbarred, but in 1980 he won an appeal to have his law license restored. Podell practiced law until June 2005, when he retired because of illness.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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