Former NYC Police Commissioner Kerik Pleads Guilty

Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik pleaded guilty Thursday to eight federal felony counts, including lying to the White House when he was being vetted as the Bush administration's nominee to head the Department of Homeland Security.

Kerik, 54, wiped away tears as he faced U.S. District Judge Stephen Robinson at a hearing in White Plains, N.Y., days before he had been scheduled for trial. He pleaded guilty to two counts of tax fraud, one count of making a false statement on a loan application, and five counts of making false statements to the White House.

In exchange for the guilty pleas, prosecutors recommended a sentence of 27 to 33 months in prison. However, the statutory maximum is 61 years, and Robinson does not have to accept the plea deal.

Prosecutors said Kerik also agreed to pay $187,931 in restitution, and he could face additional fines.

Kerik served as commissioner of the New York City Police Department during part of the tenure of Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and was in the post during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. He also served as commissioner of the city's Department of Correction.

Kerik and Giuliani were also personal friends and became business partners when they left office at the end of Giuliani's term. That partnership has since dissolved.

A former detective, Kerik's career took a downhill turn after then-President George W. Bush nominated him for Homeland Security secretary in 2004. That's when he told the White House that he had never been involved with anyone who did business with the city of New York. He withdrew his name from consideration for the post when questions arose about his failure to pay taxes for a nanny.

At the hearing, Kerik admitted to receiving $255,000 in renovations to his New York City apartment in 1999 and 2000 from a contractor who wanted to do business with the city during the time he headed the Correction Department. He acknowledged that he didn't report the value of the renovations on his federal tax return.

In addition, Kerik told the judge that he lied to the White House about the renovations and his relationship with the contractor.

"I falsely denied to the White House official that I had any such dealings," he said.

"It is a sad day when the former chief law enforcement officer of New York City pleads guilty to eight federal felonies," said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. "But no one is above the law."

Sentencing has been scheduled for Feb. 18 at 10 a.m.