Bernard Kerik, the police commissioner under former Mayor Rudy Giuliani who nearly became head of the Homeland Security Department, will surrender to federal authorities Friday on criminal charges, an official said Thursday. The federal law enforcement official said prosecutors plan to announce the filing of an indictment against Kerik at a news conference Friday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the secrecy of grand jury proceedings. 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-TV on 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 Corporation 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 Bobb 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.
Nov. 3 (Bloomberg) — An aide to former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani was aware of Bernard Kerik’s involvement with a company doing business with the city while serving as corrections commissioner, the New York Times reported, citing notes. Edward Kuriansky, the city investigations commissioner, met with one of Giuliani’s closest aides, Dennison Young Jr., and briefed Young on Kerik’s relationship with Interstate Industrial and a man Kerik recommended for a job at that company, the newspaper said, citing Kuriansky’s diaries and notes.
Giuliani, who was criticized for not having better scrutinized Kerik’s background before recommending him as a candidate to head the Department of Homeland Security in 2004, has said he wasn’t aware of Kerik’s ties to the company, the newspaper said. Guiliani declined to comment to the Times. Guiliani’s press office wasn’t immediately available to respond to a call by Bloomberg News seeking comment. Kerik faces possible U.S. criminal charges for tax fraud and bribery for allegedly accepting thousands of dollars in gifts while serving as the mayor’s corrections commissioner, the newspaper said. Kerik, through his lawyer, has denied the charges.
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