And to think this guy would have been our head of Homeland Security

[CatWoman]

Kerik Pleads Guilty for Gifts and a Loan

By JOHN HOLUSHA and WILLIAM K. RASHBAUM
Published: June 30, 2006

Bernard B. Kerik, the former New York City police commissioner, pleaded guilty today to two misdemeanor charges as the result of accepting tens of thousands of dollars of gifts and a loan while he was a city official in the late 1990's.


He entered the pleas, one to a violation of the city charter and the other of the city administrative code, in a Bronx courtroom before Justice John P. Collins and was sentenced to a total of $221,000 in fines. He was accompanied by three lawyers and three supporters for the proceeding, which lasted about 10 minutes.

Speaking in a quiet voice, Mr. Kerik admitted that he had accepted renovations to his Bronx apartment from a company he believed to be "clean."

Justice Collins acknowledged Mr. Kerik's past career. "The court recognizes the contributions made by Bernard Kerik, particularly on Sept. 11, 2001, and the days after. Still, the defendant has violated the law for personal gain."

Outside the court, Mr. Kerik said he should have been more "focused and sophisticated" in dealing with contractors who worked on his Bronx apartment.

"From this moment on, it's back to work," he said before getting into a black B.M.W. and driving south on the Grand Concourse toward Manhattan.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/30/nyregion/30cnd-kerik.html?ex=1309320000&en=89c86845ab80df61&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

[KitchenWitch]

1. How in the name of all that is good, can that not be a felony?

Jeebus.

Yes, there are TWO court systems. One for the rich, and well connected, where charges are reduced and sentences are wimpy. And one for the rest of us.

[Greyhound]

3. "So, just how much justice can you afford?"

Welcome to the Twisted States of Amerika.

[rzemanfl]

2. Chertoff is not much better. Had Kerik been in charge of DHS

when Katrina hit he would have been in NOLA as soon as the wind died down. Shacked up in a hotel with some strippers from the French Quarter, but he'd have been there...

[itzamirakul]

4. So Bernie is set free for accepting money illegally while serving

as NY Police Commissioner while people in the midst of Katrina tragedy are sentenced to 15 years for a few bottles of beer.

This is further proof af America's continued racism.

[KitchenWitch]

5. racism and classism.

[itzamirakul]

7. Bernie has been Giuliani's right hand man since before 911 and I

have no doubt the Kerick has accepted far more than he is charged with. As soon as this is all cleared up, Bernie will put on a clean shirt and tie and start a new business with Giuliani and Associates. If Bush is big Hitler II, then Rudy is Little Hitler II. But the black folks get shot 21 times by cops un der Giuliani's rule and go to jail for 15 years under Bush's incompetent handling of Katrina.

"But, my goodness...why do you black folks keep talking about racism? That was all cleared up in the 60s."

[Betsy Ross]

6. Anyone keeping score?

1 Dem and how many Repukes guilty or no-contest? This is one election they are winning. Must be the librul courts.

[Lowell]

8. He'd have been perfect

He'd have fit right in with the "culture of corruption" that is rampant in this administration. They'd have figured a way to cover for him, or just stonewalled like every other crime they are caught in.

[wicket]

9. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Swamp Rat]

10. Good riddance and send his ass to JAIL!