He served as Chairman of the Philadelphia Democratic Party from 1969 to 1976, when he lost a power struggle with Mayor Frank Rizzo.
Camiel became leader of the 5th ward in Philadelphia, known as Center City, and served in that capacity for over 40 years.
[4] Camiel was nominated to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission by Governor Milton Shapp in 1975.
In 1980, he and three other defendants, including Vince Fumo and Thomas Nolan, were convicted of placing "ghost workers" on state payroll.
[1] He was suspended from the Turnpike Commission as a result of the indictment but returned in December 1981.