Bernard Spindel

Bernard B. 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]

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
DiedFebruary 4, 1971(1971-02-04) (aged 47)
New York City, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationSurveillance expert, pilot

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]

Publications
  • The Ominous Ear. New York: Award House (1968). OCLC 440580.

References
  1. "Wiretap Expert Invokes Fifth At Hoffa Surveillance Hearing". New York Times. 6 March 1964. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  2. "Hoffa's Lawyers Recall Star Prosecution ithess". New York Times. 13 February 1964. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  3. "Judge is Assailed at Hoffa's Trial". New York Times. 8 February 1964. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  4. Lane, Frederick S. (2009). American Privacy: The 400-year History of Our Most Contested Right. Beacon Press. ISBN 9780807044414.
  5. Neary, John (May 20, 1966). "On Assignment with The Ace of the Bugging Business". Life (359). p. 44.
  6. "Bernard Spindel - Eavesdropper, Wiretapper, Bugger - 1966". spybusters.com. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  7. "Indict Hoffa for 'Spying' on Pals". Chicago Tribune. May 15, 1957.
  8. "The Ominous Ear by Bernard B. Spindel". spybusters.com. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  9. Spindel, Bernard. The Ominous Ear. New York: Award House (1968). OCLC 440580.
  10. "Bernard Spindel, Wiretapper, Dies". New York Times. 4 February 1971.

Further reading


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