Nov 6, 2007 9:58 pm US/Eastern
Kerik: 'Enough Is Enough'
Former NYPD Commish Speaks Out On Giuliani, Media
FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. (CBS) ―
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Once again, former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik's past transgressions are taking a toll on former Mayor Rudy Giuliani's presidential aspirations.
CBS
He's at the center of the presidential race this week, but not by his choosing.
Former police commissioner Bernard Kerik is causing huge headaches for Rudy Giuliani's campaign.
And now Kerik is breaking his silence, exclusively to CBS 2 HD.
Playing with his dogs Duke and Dutchess on Tuesday, Kerik looked like a man without a care in the world.
But the appearance is deceiving. The former NYC police commissioner is facing indictment, and causing mounting problems for Giuliani's presidential campaign.
"This has been an emotional nightmare for me and my family for the last three years," Kerik said. "You know, enough is enough. I think I've already paid the price in extremely deep terms."
Critics are questioning Giuliani's judgment for promoting Kerik to top city jobs and pushing him to head the Department of Homeland Security. Giuliani's responded by pointing out Kerik's accomplishments.
"We were able to deal with terrible situation of Sept. 11 in a way that helped the city, so those things I have to also credit and he assisted with all those," Giuliani said on Monday.
When asked why he thinks Giuliani hasn't run away from him, Kerik said despite likely political pressure to do so, the former mayor is strong in his convictions.
"It's his demeanor, his personality, the way it's always been," Kerik said. "He's going to stand up for what he believes."
Kerik scoffed at suggestions that he was a keeper of Giuliani's secrets.
"There's no secrets about Giuliani," Kerik said. "And you're one -- if there were secrets, you'd know it."
Kerik has grown angry at his treatment in the press, and has produced a list of his accomplishments entitled, "A 33-year career of courage, heroism and distinguished service."
It includes a line from Giuliani praising him as "a hero."
New reports say Giuliani disregarded warnings about Kerik's relationship with Interstate Industrial, a company with alleged mob ties, before naming him police commissioner. The former mayor says he doesn't remember being briefed about it.
"All I can tell you is that we, him and I, never discussed it," Kerik said. "What he knew or didn't know, I don't know."
Kerik says he and Giuliani haven't spoken in months. But it's clear that both men still have a lot of loyalty to one another, even as the political costs continue to rise.
Kerik also praised the former mayor as "a man of immense leadership."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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