Stephen Poludniak
Stephen E. Poludniak was an attorney who was convicted, with Elizabeth Eagleton Weigand, of attempting to blackmail United States Senator Thomas Eagleton of Missouri during his 1980 re-election bid.
Weigand, who was Eagleton's niece, and Poludniak, who was Weigand's attorney, threatened to go public with a false claim that Eagleton was bisexual unless Eagleton paid $220,000 for Weigand's minority interest in a family business.
Eagleton reported Poludniak and Weigand to authorities and they were prosecuted. Both Poludniak and Weigand plead guilty. Poludniak was sentenced to prison. Eagleton won re-election to the United States Senate in the 1980 election.
Eagleton told reporters that the extorted money was to be turned over to the Church of Scientology.
Weigand, who was Eagleton's niece, and Poludniak, who was Weigand's attorney, threatened to go public with a false claim that Eagleton was bisexual unless Eagleton paid $220,000 for Weigand's minority interest in a family business.
Eagleton reported Poludniak and Weigand to authorities and they were prosecuted. Both Poludniak and Weigand plead guilty. Poludniak was sentenced to prison. Eagleton won re-election to the United States Senate in the 1980 election.
Eagleton told reporters that the extorted money was to be turned over to the Church of Scientology.
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