Gaul started his career as a city councilman in Cleveland, Ohio, representing a predominantly Irish-Catholic ward on the west side.
[4] In 1997, Gaul was acquitted by the Ohio Court of Appeals of any criminal wrongdoing in association with SAFE.
[2] In 1989, Gaul was criticized for appearing in radio advertisements in which he endorsed certificates of deposits at Transohio Saving Bank.
[3] Gaul also served on Cleveland City Council and on the board of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority.
[6] In 1982, he was a candidate in the Democratic Primary for Ohio Secretary of State,[7] won by Sherrod Brown.