Bernard Spindel
Bernard Spindel | |
|---|---|
 Bernard Spindel (left) and Jimmy Hoffa after a 1957 court session in which they pleaded not guilty to illegal wiretap charges | |
| Born | Bernard B. Spindel November 9, 1923 New York City, New York, United States |
| Died | February 4, 1971 (aged 47) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Surveillance expert, pilot |
Bernard Spindel (November 9, 1923 – February 4, 1971) was an American surveillance, wiretapping, electronics and lockpicking expert and pilot.[1][2][3][4] A 1966 article in Life magazine called Spindel the "No. 1 big-league freelance eavesdropper and wiretapper in the U.S."[5][6]
Spindel is known for his involvement in union leader Jimmy Hoffa's 1964 criminal trial[3] and 1957 trial[7] where in 1957 Spindel and Hoffa pleaded not guilty to accusations of illegal wiretapping. The 1957 indictment stated that in 1953 Hoffa paid Spindel $8,429 dollars in union funds to wiretap Teamster headquarters in Detroit.[7]
Spindel's 1968 autobiography was entitled The Ominous Ear.[8][9] He died from a heart attack on February 4, 1971, having been under a prison sentence for his electronic eavesdropping.[10]
References[]
- ^ "Wiretap Expert Invokes Fifth At Hoffa Surveillance Hearing". The New York Times. 6 March 1964. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
- ^ "Hoffa's Lawyers Recall Star Prosecution ithess". The New York Times. 13 February 1964. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "JUDGE IS ASSAILED AT HOFFA'S TRIAL". The New York Times. 8 February 1964. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
- ^ Lane, Frederick S. (2009). American Privacy: The 400-year History of Our Most Contested Right. Beacon Press. ISBN 9780807044414.
- ^ Neary, John (May 20, 1966). "On Assignment with The Ace of the Bugging Business". Life (359). p. 44.
- ^ "Bernard Spindel - Eavesdropper, Wiretapper, Bugger - 1966". spybusters.com. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Indict Hoffa for 'Spying' on Pals". Chicago Tribune. May 15, 1957.
- ^ "The Ominous Ear by Bernard B. Spindel". spybusters.com. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
- ^ Spindel, Bernard B (1 January 1968). The ominous ear. Award House. OCLC 440580.
- ^ "Bernard Spindel, Wiretapper, Dies". The New York Times. 4 February 1971.
External links[]
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