Nov 8, 2007 6:09 pm US/Eastern
Sources: Kerik Indicted, Arraignment Friday
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Kerik's legal trouble could prove damaging to Giuliani's presidential campaign.
CBS
Sources tell CBS stattion WCBS-TV that Bernard Kerik was indicted by a federal grand jury on Thursday, a development many expected after prosecutors had sought criminal charges for tax fraud, corruption, and conspiracy charges against the former NYPD commissioner.
Kerik is expected to turn himself in to authorities Friday morning, followed by a noon arraignment at the federal courthouse in White Plains.
The charges in the indictment include mail and wire fraud, tax fraud, making false statements on a bank application, making false statements for a U.S. government position and theft of honest services, WCBS-TV has learned.
The indictment does not include any charges stemming from allegations of eavesdropping related to former Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro's pursuit of information about whether her husband was having an affair, sources said.
Several calls to Kerik's lawyer, Kenneth Breen, were not immediately returned Thursday.
As recently as Tuesday, Kerik said he was hoping to avoid the indictment, but admitted to WCBS-TV in an exclusive interview that he had "no idea" if he expected to be charged.
The charges plunge Kerik back into severe legal jeopardy, and it could damage the presidential hopes of GOP candidate Rudy Giuliani, who is at a critical juncture with the Iowa caucuses less than two months away.
In his exclusive interview with WCBS-TVon Tuesday, Kerik seemed aware he could impact Giuliani's White House bid.
"It's horrible, and people have got to look at Giuliani for the person he is, the leadership skills he has, the management skills he has and what he can do for this country," he said.
Reports surfaced earlier this week that Giuliani knew more about Kerik's relationship with Interstate Industrial Corp. than he's let on. He's responded by defending Kerik but apologizing at the same time.
"I should have done a better job of checking him out. I didn't and I've apologized for that," Giuliani said.
"The campaign is obviously concerned because Kerik's problems raise questions about Giuliani's judgment," added CBS News Justice Department correspondent Bob Orr.
Kerik's troubles stem from his relationship with Interstate Industrial, which financed a six-figure renovation of his Bronx apartment while seeking a city license. The company has been accused of having ties to the mob.
"This has been an emotional nightmare for me and my family for the last three years," Kerik said Tuesday. "You know, enough is enough."
Kerik has already pleaded guilty to an ethics charge, but that will most certainly be the least of his problems as he faces even tougher legal battles.
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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