new seven-year term of office beginning July 1, 1942; Fly's appointment was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate on June 29 of that year. In 1941 Sam Hobbs, U.S. Representative from Alabama, introduced a bill that would legalize wiretapping by the FBI, or any other government agency, if it was suspected that a felony was occurring. The bill was supported by Attorney General Robert H. Jackson, and seemed likely to pass, until Fly testified against the bill to Congress. Due in large part to Fly's testimony, the bill did not pass. This testimony garnered Fly national attention, and earned Roosevelt's and Hoover's disapproval. The FBI conducted wiretaps in contravention of the law, and began to collect a file on Fly. Hoover publicly attacked Fly and questioned his loyalty to the United States. In 1943, a House committee investigating the FCC accused Fly of allowing the attack on Pearl Harbor by preventing wiretap legislation. Fly left the FCC in November 1944, and opened a private law practice in New York City. He was replaced as chairman on an interim basis by Commissioner Ewell K. Jett, and his seat was ultimately filled by the Democratic National Committee's publicity director, Paul A. Porter, who took over as chairman upon his confirmation. Director of the ACLU Fly became director of the ACLU in 1946. One of the most celebrated cases under Fly's directorship was the case of Judith Coplon, accused of spying for the Soviet Union. The trial uncovered extensive wiretapping being conducted illegally by the FBI, and became a major embarrassment for the agency. These wiretaps included conversations between Coplon and her lawyer. The bureau then destroyed recordings before the court could hear them, violating further statutes. Coplon was convicted, but the case was appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Judge Learned Hand conceded that "the guilt is plain," but overturned the conviction due to the evidence collected through illegal methods, as well as other misconduct, including the fact that Coplon had been arrested without a warrant. Private practice In 1949 Fly represented labor leader Harry Bridges, who faced deportation due to accusations that he had lied when saying he had never been a Communist. This case eventually went before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1953, which ruled against the government. As retribution for this case, Fly faced numerous legal and business difficulties; newspaper columnists questioned his