Nov 6, 2009 6:14 am US/Eastern
Shame, Humiliation As Kerik Pleads Guilty 8 Times
Former NYPD Commish Pleads Guilty To Lying To White House, Tax Crimes
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Bernard Kerik was indicted on fraud charges by a federal grand jury Nov. 8, 2007.
AP
Former New York City police commissioner Benard Kerik gave up and copped a plea deal, and could now spend the next three years in prison for lying to the White House and the IRS.
Kerik stood before Judge Stephen Robinson and pleaded guilty to eight felony crimes, mired in shame and humiliation eight years after standing with Rudy Giuliani on 9/11 and five years after standing with President Bush at the White House.
"It's just the most dramatic fall from the pinnacle of power," said Ben Gershman of Pace Law School. "It's just kind of breathtaking how quickly and how far this man fell."
Gershman, a former prosecutor, said it's a stunning fall, two years after Kerik vowed to clear his name.
"My life has been marked by challenges," he told CBS 2 in an exclusive interview then. "This is a battle I'm going to fight."
The fight ended Thursday when Kerik pleaded guilty to eight counts, admitting he lied to the White House during a background check when he was nominated for Homeland Security Chief.
He also lied on a loan application and failed to tell the IRS about a $250,000 freebie – the renovation of his apartment in Riverdale. The feds say the work on Kerik's apartment was done by a firm with suspected ties to the mob. The firm wanted Kerik's help getting a business license.
As part of the deal, charges involving fraud and conspiracy were dropped.
"The charges are all related to dishonesty, personal profiteering, self-serving conduct while he is a government official. Anyone can call that corruption of your office," said Gershman.
Kerik showed little emotion, until the judge said when sentencing time comes, he'd consider the good things Kerik accomplished during his years of public service. That's when Kerik put his hand on his face to hold back his tears.
The plea deal calls for Kerik to spend between 27 and 33 months in prison. He'll be back in court next week to ask a judge to release him on bail, while he awaits sentencing in February.
Weeks of legal wrangling produced the 8-page plea deal, with Kerik's signature making it official.
"Anytime a former commissioner of police of the City of New York has to plead guilty to eight federal felonies, it's a sad day. But no one is above the law and we prosecute anyone, no matter who they are, in this office," said U.S. Attorney Preet Bahrara.
Kerik's legal problems were an embarrassment for his mentor, Giuliani, during his brief run for president, and caused trouble for Jeanine Pirro during her run for attorney general. She and Kerik were caught on a wiretap discussing placing a listening device on her husband's boat.
Pirro's lawyer told CBS 2 on Thursday that Pirro got a letter from the feds saying the investigation was over and she would not face charges.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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