Bernard Kerik Sent to Jail

Oct 21, 2009 News

– Judge describes him as an obstacle to be circumvented

One-time candidate for Security Adviser to President Bharrat Jagdeo, Bernard Kerik, will remain behind bars until his trial begins on Monday. An angry federal judge sent the former New York City Police Commissioner to jail yesterday for sharing secret pre-trial information with a “propagandist” who he (Kerik) claimed was really his lawyer.
The issue in yesterday’s court session was Kerik’s relationship with Anthony Modafferi, an Oakland, N.J., lawyer, who at least until recently, was the trustee of Kerik’s legal defence fund. He has written what presiding judge, Stephen C. Robinson, called “scurrilous” internet articles berating prosecutors.
According to the judge, Modafferi had sent e-mail messages to him and to The Washington Times that defamed Government prosecutors.
Judge Robinson of Federal District Court in White Plains said Kerik could not be trusted to honour a consent order prohibiting him from revealing confidential information. Kerik had been allowed to remain free on $500,000 bail, which was secured by his house in New Jersey.
However, the judge turned down a request by Kerik’s lawyers to keep him from being put behind bars for 48 hours while they prepare an appeal.
Before revoking Kerik’s bail, Judge Robinson described him as a “toxic combination of self-minded focus and arrogance and I fear that combination leads him to believe his ends justify his means.”
“He sees the court’s rulings as an inconvenience,” Judge Robinson said, “something to be ignored, and an obstacle to be circumvented.”
After the proceeding, Kerik loosened his tie and removed papers and a wallet from his pockets. He then carefully took off a chain and medallion and handed them to one of his lawyers. He was led away by court officers.
The former top cop is likely to be housed in the Metropolitan Corrections Center, which is located right next to One Police Plaza – the NYPD headquarters where Kerik once reigned.
Kerik was indicted in November 2007 on corruption, conspiracy and tax fraud charges, and he was arraigned on December 29, 2008, on additional charges that he prepared false tax returns. He is also accused of accepting apartment renovations from a construction company in exchange for recommending the company for city contracts. He pleaded not guilty. The trial is scheduled to begin Monday with jury selection.
Kerik served as the city’s correction and police commissioners under Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, and he gained an international reputation after the September 11 attacks as he was often at Giuliani’s side.
Two years after he left office, Kerik was nominated to lead the Department of Homeland Security, in part because of Giuliani’s recommendation.
He soon withdrew the nomination, citing his failure to pay taxes on an illegal immigrant whom he had hired as his nanny.
News reports soon followed, exploring financial entanglements and ethical problems that led the city to begin an investigation.
He was courted by President Bharrat Jagdeo to serve as his Security Adviser.

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Bernard Kerik Sent to Jail

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