LIKE OIL AND WATER
Known for his gargantuan intellect, his quick wit and his girth, Guldi spent 10 years in the Suffolk County Legislature, representing the South Fork from 1993 to 2003.
“He always looked out for the interests of his district,” says former Legis. David Bishop (D-West Babylon), now a class-action litigator. “He was attentive to the East End, that’s for sure.”
Bishop remembers one time that Guldi co-sponsored a bill with him and voted against it.
“It was a bill to redefine affirmative action in Suffolk County to be based on economic need, not just race,” Bishop recalls. “He could be shaky, but not shady. He could tell you one thing one day and then do the opposite the next.”
Asked how Guldi got along with Steve Levy, Bishop says, “Like oil and water, as I recall. There are people who now say they were close, but if they were, it was well-hidden.”
Guldi’s conviction surprised him, Bishop says, and he doubts the allegations made by Ellner hold water. “If I didn’t believe Guldi was corrupt, there’s no way I’m believing Steve Levy is!”
Still, he wants it to be clear, that he’s not supporting Levy’s re-election because “he left the Democratic Party.”
After Guldi was arrested and charged in 2009, he ran for re-election in that year’s September primary.
In The Hot Seat: Former Suffolk Legis. George Guldi, leaves the Suffolk County courthouse during a lunch break last week before his verdict.
“That’s classic George Guldi,” says Legis. Jon Cooper (D-Lloyd Harbor), the Majority Leader, with an admiring chuckle. “No one else would think of doing that, but George did.”
His political rivals joke that Guldi got more counts against him than votes for him in that race. Former East Hampton Town Supervisor Legis. Jay Schneiderman (I-Montauk) unseated Guldi in 2003.
“He’d been elected five times. I felt he wasn’t doing a good job representing the district,” Schneiderman says. “He was hard to reach. I felt that we had an absentee legislator.
“I always thought he was a smart guy. I guess I’m surprised that he got caught,” he adds. “Part of me is looking forward to Round Two because [the first trial] was so entertaining. I heard through the grapevine that there’s quite a bit more that George was saving for the main event. But I honestly don’t know what’s coming.”
