Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Bernie Kerik Doesn't Want to Deal
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 14, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 14, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yet another intriguing chapter in the life of former police commissioner Bernard Kerik: WNBC reports that he rejected a plea deal from the feds. The deal would have allowed Kerik to plead guilty to tax fraud and illegal eavesdropping - plus serve jail time - and in return, the feds would have dropped their criminal probe. And the probe includes quite a laundry list: "allegations of mortgage fraud, tax fraud, conspiracy to eavesdrop and making false statements on his application to become U.S. Homeland Security Secretary."
But Kerik's lawyer said, "We rejected the plea deal because Mr. Kerik paid his taxes and did nothing wrong." Or did he? From WNBC:
NewsChannel 4 has learned as part of the investigation, officials want to know if Kerik received use of a midtown Manhattan apartment from a prominent real estate developer without ever having claimed use of that apartment on any tax or disclosure forms.
Allegations that Kerik may have been given use of a midtown apartment come after the former police commissioner was criticized for allegedly using a "ground zero" apartment for personal affairs after the 9-11 attacks.
As for other charges, the eavesdropping investigation seems to be about surveillance Kerik might have done for friend Jeannine Pirro, who wanted to see if her husband was cheating on her. And last year, Kerik pleaded guilty to accepting $200,000 worth of home renovations (and paying only $17,000) - and the Tombs downtown were de-Keriked. Of course, the Homeland Security job nod was quashed by hiring an undocumented worker as a nanny. Next decision for the feds: Whether they'll file criminal charges.
Will Kerik's problems tarnish Giuliani's shiny reputation? A Giuliani aide tells WNBC's Jonathan Dienst, "As Mayor Giuliani recently said, it was a mistake to recommend Bernie Kerik, and he took responsibility for it." Kerik resigned from Giuliani and Partners in 2004, later cried in New York magazine and claimed he and Rudy cried together when he turned in his resignation letter.
Tagged
9-11
affairs
As
Bernard Kerik
bernie kerik
crime
downtown
fraud
From WNBC
giuliani
ground zero
homeland security
Homeland Security Secretary
Jeannine Pirro
Jonathan Dienst
manhattan
mayor
mayor giuliani
new york
police
police commissioner
real estate
taxes
wnbc
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Gatorade recall affects drinks sold in New York and New Jersey
More than 122,000 cases are being recalled over undeclared food dyes.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 5, 2026 at 4:36 p.m. ET
Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’
The declaration is driven by rising case counts in rural areas and in neighboring Pennsylvania.
By
Caroline Lewis
News
Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’
The declaration is driven by rising case counts in rural areas and in neighboring Pennsylvania.
By
Caroline Lewis
NYPD detective forced to retire after false statements in Brooklyn investigation
By
Charles Lane
Mamdani faces pressure to forge ahead with plan to fix polluting South Bronx market
By
Elizabeth Kim
Dominican man who shot border patrol officer in NYC sentenced to 15 years in prison
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .