This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/26/nyregion/bernie-kerik-pardon.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Kerik Had ‘Hit Bottom.’ Then Trump Pardoned Him. Kerik Had ‘Hit Bottom.’ Then Trump Pardoned Him.
(about 11 hours later)
It was as if the last decade had not happened.It was as if the last decade had not happened.
Wearing a black turtleneck and blazer — an American flag pin affixed to its lapel — Bernard B. Kerik made an appearance on Fox News. Then it was on to a Midtown steakhouse for dinner and Ketel-One-and-cranberry cocktails, courtesy of his old friend Bo Dietl, who wanted to toast Mr. Kerik.Wearing a black turtleneck and blazer — an American flag pin affixed to its lapel — Bernard B. Kerik made an appearance on Fox News. Then it was on to a Midtown steakhouse for dinner and Ketel-One-and-cranberry cocktails, courtesy of his old friend Bo Dietl, who wanted to toast Mr. Kerik.
The day before, President Trump had personally informed Mr. Kerik that he was being pardoned. With that, the dishonored former New York City police commissioner was moved ahead of 14,000 others seeking pardons, forgiven his criminal convictions and unshackled from restrictions that can impede the post-prison careers of people with felony records.The day before, President Trump had personally informed Mr. Kerik that he was being pardoned. With that, the dishonored former New York City police commissioner was moved ahead of 14,000 others seeking pardons, forgiven his criminal convictions and unshackled from restrictions that can impede the post-prison careers of people with felony records.
During that dinner last week, Mr. Dietl, the profane security consultant and former New York police detective, raised the possibility of giving Mr. Kerik, 64, some work outside the country. Mr. Dietl recalled how his friend responded: “‘We could do some business, Bo.’”During that dinner last week, Mr. Dietl, the profane security consultant and former New York police detective, raised the possibility of giving Mr. Kerik, 64, some work outside the country. Mr. Dietl recalled how his friend responded: “‘We could do some business, Bo.’”
The simple comment conveyed the world of opportunity restored.The simple comment conveyed the world of opportunity restored.
For at least 10 years, Mr. Kerik had been seen as a fallen figure from a distant tough-guy era in New York, banished to the margins of power. But with the rise of Mr. Trump, Mr. Kerik’s fortunes changed. His brand — brashly conservative, critical of federal prosecutors and close with right-wing media — precisely fit the jaw-jutting mold favored in the White House.For at least 10 years, Mr. Kerik had been seen as a fallen figure from a distant tough-guy era in New York, banished to the margins of power. But with the rise of Mr. Trump, Mr. Kerik’s fortunes changed. His brand — brashly conservative, critical of federal prosecutors and close with right-wing media — precisely fit the jaw-jutting mold favored in the White House.
Suddenly, Mr. Kerik’s four-year prison sentence was no longer considered a fitting punishment for his betrayal of the public trust, as a judge had said. It was gross overreach by an out-of-control federal justice system that had unfairly brought down a national law enforcement hero.Suddenly, Mr. Kerik’s four-year prison sentence was no longer considered a fitting punishment for his betrayal of the public trust, as a judge had said. It was gross overreach by an out-of-control federal justice system that had unfairly brought down a national law enforcement hero.
Mr. Kerik’s circle of friends had ascended in Washington under Mr. Trump, including his former boss, Rudolph W. Giuliani, now Mr. Trump’s personal lawyer, and Christopher Ruddy, a confidant of the president’s and the chairman of a prominent right-wing media outlet. After his release from prison in 2013, Mr. Kerik made more than 50 appearances on Fox News, Mr. Trump’s preferred news source. He joined the defense team for the former Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher in a war-crimes case that became a cause célèbre for the president.Mr. Kerik’s circle of friends had ascended in Washington under Mr. Trump, including his former boss, Rudolph W. Giuliani, now Mr. Trump’s personal lawyer, and Christopher Ruddy, a confidant of the president’s and the chairman of a prominent right-wing media outlet. After his release from prison in 2013, Mr. Kerik made more than 50 appearances on Fox News, Mr. Trump’s preferred news source. He joined the defense team for the former Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher in a war-crimes case that became a cause célèbre for the president.
“I have a lot of friends and supporters who know the president,” Mr. Kerik said in an interview. He had remade himself as an advocate for criminal justice reform, his perspective dovetailing with Mr. Trump’s tirades about overzealous prosecutors and corrupt Department of Justice officials.“I have a lot of friends and supporters who know the president,” Mr. Kerik said in an interview. He had remade himself as an advocate for criminal justice reform, his perspective dovetailing with Mr. Trump’s tirades about overzealous prosecutors and corrupt Department of Justice officials.
But Mr. Kerik’s connections and frequent presence in conservative media belied the challenges he faced to earn money. Although he said in an interview that he had been working in security and crisis management, he also expressed frustration with the limited opportunities available to people with convictions.But Mr. Kerik’s connections and frequent presence in conservative media belied the challenges he faced to earn money. Although he said in an interview that he had been working in security and crisis management, he also expressed frustration with the limited opportunities available to people with convictions.
“These are the diminishments of your rights, and they last forever,” Mr. Kerik said. “You can do your time, you can do probation, you can be a model citizen for the rest of your life. That stuff stays with you.”“These are the diminishments of your rights, and they last forever,” Mr. Kerik said. “You can do your time, you can do probation, you can be a model citizen for the rest of your life. That stuff stays with you.”
Mr. Kerik had been luckier than many returning from prison; he had a modest government pension and a New Jersey home worth nearly $2 million. But it had proven much tougher to recapture the more rarefied elements of his former life, including the well-paying work in far-flung locales that accommodated his taste for finer things.Mr. Kerik had been luckier than many returning from prison; he had a modest government pension and a New Jersey home worth nearly $2 million. But it had proven much tougher to recapture the more rarefied elements of his former life, including the well-paying work in far-flung locales that accommodated his taste for finer things.
Mr. Kerik, one of 11 people granted clemency by the president last week, said that within days of his pardon he had been approached by representatives of “a foreign government in the Middle East” to discuss potential police and prison training contracts, and by a “well-known international business guy” about cybersecurity work.Mr. Kerik, one of 11 people granted clemency by the president last week, said that within days of his pardon he had been approached by representatives of “a foreign government in the Middle East” to discuss potential police and prison training contracts, and by a “well-known international business guy” about cybersecurity work.
Conversations like these did not happen before the pardon, according to Mr. Kerik, who spoke on Monday from Las Vegas, where he was giving a paid speech to an association of professional bail agents. “My life has been stagnant for the last six years,” he said.Conversations like these did not happen before the pardon, according to Mr. Kerik, who spoke on Monday from Las Vegas, where he was giving a paid speech to an association of professional bail agents. “My life has been stagnant for the last six years,” he said.
Mr. Kerik was once a tough-on-crime celebrity, with more than two dozen medals for heroism and meritorious service. A police bodyguard and driver for Mr. Giuliani, he rose to become New York City’s correction commissioner and police commissioner during Mr. Giuliani’s term as mayor. He attained national stature for his leadership in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.Mr. Kerik was once a tough-on-crime celebrity, with more than two dozen medals for heroism and meritorious service. A police bodyguard and driver for Mr. Giuliani, he rose to become New York City’s correction commissioner and police commissioner during Mr. Giuliani’s term as mayor. He attained national stature for his leadership in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Mr. Kerik followed Mr. Giuliani into the private sector, where they held themselves out as experts in crisis management and counterterrorism, at home and abroad.Mr. Kerik followed Mr. Giuliani into the private sector, where they held themselves out as experts in crisis management and counterterrorism, at home and abroad.
After a brief stint as interior minister of Iraq following the U.S. invasion in 2003, Mr. Kerik was nominated by President George W. Bush as the secretary of homeland security. But a week later he withdrew from consideration, citing his employment of an undocumented nanny. More troubling allegations surfaced that while still a city official, he had accepted illegal gifts from associates, some of whom did business with the city.After a brief stint as interior minister of Iraq following the U.S. invasion in 2003, Mr. Kerik was nominated by President George W. Bush as the secretary of homeland security. But a week later he withdrew from consideration, citing his employment of an undocumented nanny. More troubling allegations surfaced that while still a city official, he had accepted illegal gifts from associates, some of whom did business with the city.
Mr. Kerik pleaded guilty in 2006 to misdemeanor charges in connection with $165,000 in free renovations to a Bronx apartment he owned, provided by a company seeking a city license. Then, in 2009, he pleaded guilty to federal charges of tax fraud and making false statements.Mr. Kerik pleaded guilty in 2006 to misdemeanor charges in connection with $165,000 in free renovations to a Bronx apartment he owned, provided by a company seeking a city license. Then, in 2009, he pleaded guilty to federal charges of tax fraud and making false statements.
Citing a betrayal of the public trust, a federal judge sentenced Mr. Kerik to four years in prison, a harsher punishment than the one recommended by prosecutors.Citing a betrayal of the public trust, a federal judge sentenced Mr. Kerik to four years in prison, a harsher punishment than the one recommended by prosecutors.
Friends, including the journalist Geraldo Rivera, attended a farewell party at Mr. Kerik’s home in Franklin Lakes, N.J. Before surrendering to federal prison authorities, Mr. Kerik posted a note online recalling his long public service, quoting a line from his friend Sylvester Stallone in “Rocky” — and criticizing the judge who had sentenced him.Friends, including the journalist Geraldo Rivera, attended a farewell party at Mr. Kerik’s home in Franklin Lakes, N.J. Before surrendering to federal prison authorities, Mr. Kerik posted a note online recalling his long public service, quoting a line from his friend Sylvester Stallone in “Rocky” — and criticizing the judge who had sentenced him.
More than his time in prison, Mr. Kerik’s prosecution and the post-release limits on his life appear to have spurred his interest in criminal justice reform.More than his time in prison, Mr. Kerik’s prosecution and the post-release limits on his life appear to have spurred his interest in criminal justice reform.
“What I’ve come to learn is that these failings and misuses of the system are quickly becoming the norm,” Mr. Kerik wrote in a memoir published after his release.“What I’ve come to learn is that these failings and misuses of the system are quickly becoming the norm,” Mr. Kerik wrote in a memoir published after his release.
Mr. Kerik founded a short-lived nonprofit, the American Coalition for Criminal Justice Reform. He addressed colleges and universities and spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference. He has testified before Congress and repeatedly visited the White House, three times during the Obama years and at least twice during the Trump administration.Mr. Kerik founded a short-lived nonprofit, the American Coalition for Criminal Justice Reform. He addressed colleges and universities and spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference. He has testified before Congress and repeatedly visited the White House, three times during the Obama years and at least twice during the Trump administration.
“People knew that he came up the ranks as a cop and worked at Rikers,” said Mark Cranston, the warden for jails in Middlesex County, N.J., and a former acting commissioner at the Rikers Island jail complex in New York. “It helped a lot to convert people who were iffy about the need for change.”“People knew that he came up the ranks as a cop and worked at Rikers,” said Mark Cranston, the warden for jails in Middlesex County, N.J., and a former acting commissioner at the Rikers Island jail complex in New York. “It helped a lot to convert people who were iffy about the need for change.”
He also became involved in veterans’ causes. Charlie Daniels, the Southern rock music star — who runs a veterans’ support program, the Journey Home Project — said in an email that he heard Mr. Kerik talk at a veterans’ event about his 9/11 experiences and invited him to speak in Nashville at a charity event for the project.He also became involved in veterans’ causes. Charlie Daniels, the Southern rock music star — who runs a veterans’ support program, the Journey Home Project — said in an email that he heard Mr. Kerik talk at a veterans’ event about his 9/11 experiences and invited him to speak in Nashville at a charity event for the project.
Mr. Daniels wrote: “He has basically become a regular at our annual event, never failing to bring home the events and ramifications of that horrible day, in firsthand dialogue, like nobody I’ve ever heard.”Mr. Daniels wrote: “He has basically become a regular at our annual event, never failing to bring home the events and ramifications of that horrible day, in firsthand dialogue, like nobody I’ve ever heard.”
Still, the felony conviction remained Mr. Kerik’s scarlet letter. He could not get security clearance for government jobs. Private companies shied away. Still, the felony conviction remained Mr. Kerik’s scarlet letter. He could not get security clearance for government jobs. Private companies shied away. 
“Any job that’s regulated by the government you can’t do,” Mr. Kerik said. “I wanted to travel to Canada to give a speech; you can’t do it. I was offered a speech in London; couldn’t do it.”“Any job that’s regulated by the government you can’t do,” Mr. Kerik said. “I wanted to travel to Canada to give a speech; you can’t do it. I was offered a speech in London; couldn’t do it.”
Mr. Kerik cobbled together work, relying on connections, garnering modest security contracts — including some that he said he “wouldn’t have entertained” before the conviction — and drawing frequently on his life story. But friends say it did not amount to much.Mr. Kerik cobbled together work, relying on connections, garnering modest security contracts — including some that he said he “wouldn’t have entertained” before the conviction — and drawing frequently on his life story. But friends say it did not amount to much.
“He needed a lot of encouragement,” said Albert Manzo, a longtime friend and the husband of Caroline Manzo, once featured on “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.”“He needed a lot of encouragement,” said Albert Manzo, a longtime friend and the husband of Caroline Manzo, once featured on “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.”
“He definitely hit bottom at one point,” Mr. Manzo said. “He felt a lot of people abandoned him.”“He definitely hit bottom at one point,” Mr. Manzo said. “He felt a lot of people abandoned him.”
Mr. Kerik was not paid for his many appearances on the Fox network — he said the exposure helped win him speaking gigs — but he earned some money as a paid contributor to the right-wing news site, Newsmax. His prison memoir sold only modestly well, and a subsequent novel — about a philandering New York police commissioner who uncovers an international conspiracy that threatens the nation — even less so. Mr. Kerik was not paid for his many appearances on the Fox network — he said the exposure helped win him speaking gigs — but he earned some money as a paid contributor to the right-wing news site Newsmax. His prison memoir sold only modestly well, and a subsequent novel — about a philandering New York police commissioner who uncovers an international conspiracy that threatens the nation — even less so.
Records show that he still owes hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal taxes and restitution, and liens remain on his New Jersey home and on some property in Florida.Records show that he still owes hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal taxes and restitution, and liens remain on his New Jersey home and on some property in Florida.
“It was sinful in my mind what had happened,” said Mr. Ruddy, the chairman of Newsmax, who visited Mr. Kerik in prison. “I mentioned to the president several times that he should consider a pardon.”“It was sinful in my mind what had happened,” said Mr. Ruddy, the chairman of Newsmax, who visited Mr. Kerik in prison. “I mentioned to the president several times that he should consider a pardon.”
Mr. Ruddy became a benefactor. He urged Mr. Kerik to write that novel and then published it. He introduced him to other prominent Trump supporters. He also played a role in advocating for his friend’s pardon.Mr. Ruddy became a benefactor. He urged Mr. Kerik to write that novel and then published it. He introduced him to other prominent Trump supporters. He also played a role in advocating for his friend’s pardon.
About a year ago, Mr. Ruddy brought Mr. Kerik to dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trump’s Florida resort and sanctuary. They had a brief conversation with the president, with whom Mr. Ruddy has regular contact.About a year ago, Mr. Ruddy brought Mr. Kerik to dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trump’s Florida resort and sanctuary. They had a brief conversation with the president, with whom Mr. Ruddy has regular contact.
“We said hello,” Mr. Ruddy recalled. “It was not an effort to lobby.”“We said hello,” Mr. Ruddy recalled. “It was not an effort to lobby.”
Mr. Kerik also spent time in Las Vegas with his friend, the Newsmax personality Wayne Allyn Root. A columnist, radio host and prominent Trump supporter, Mr. Root is also known for engaging in conspiracy theories, including the falsehood that Mr. Obama was not born in the United States, a fiction that Mr. Trump also trafficked in at one time.Mr. Kerik also spent time in Las Vegas with his friend, the Newsmax personality Wayne Allyn Root. A columnist, radio host and prominent Trump supporter, Mr. Root is also known for engaging in conspiracy theories, including the falsehood that Mr. Obama was not born in the United States, a fiction that Mr. Trump also trafficked in at one time.
“I told him, ‘I have an idea in mind,’” Mr. Root recalled. “To write a column and get it in the president’s hands: ‘Mr. President: Please Pardon Bernie Kerik.’”“I told him, ‘I have an idea in mind,’” Mr. Root recalled. “To write a column and get it in the president’s hands: ‘Mr. President: Please Pardon Bernie Kerik.’”
In September, Mr. Root did exactly as he promised. He said last week that he is positive that his pardon-for-Kerik column circulated within the White House.In September, Mr. Root did exactly as he promised. He said last week that he is positive that his pardon-for-Kerik column circulated within the White House.
“I’ve got quite a few friends,” he said.“I’ve got quite a few friends,” he said.
A White House spokesman declined to respond to questions about Mr. Kerik’s pardon.A White House spokesman declined to respond to questions about Mr. Kerik’s pardon.
Mr. Root said that he never heard anything about the matter until 6 a.m. on Feb. 18, when he received a call at his home in Las Vegas from an attorney he didn’t know: David Safavian, the general counsel for the American Conservative Union, who long ago spent a year in prison for government corruption.Mr. Root said that he never heard anything about the matter until 6 a.m. on Feb. 18, when he received a call at his home in Las Vegas from an attorney he didn’t know: David Safavian, the general counsel for the American Conservative Union, who long ago spent a year in prison for government corruption.
Mr. Safavian, he said, wanted to know whether Mr. Root would sign on to a letter to Mr. Trump supporting Mr. Kerik’s pardon. But the letter had to be in the president’s hands by noon Eastern time. “’I’m the guy who wrote that column,’ Mr. Root recalled saying. “‘Of course, I would.’” Mr. Safavian, he said, wanted to know whether Mr. Root would sign on to a letter to Mr. Trump supporting Mr. Kerik’s pardon. But the letter had to be in the president’s hands by noon Eastern time. “‘I’m the guy who wrote that column,’ Mr. Root recalled saying. “‘Of course, I would.’”
Mr. Root said Mr. Kerik deserved the break. “Anybody who’s in the military, or the police — they get extra credit, as they say in school,” he said. “Let’s let him live his life.”Mr. Root said Mr. Kerik deserved the break. “Anybody who’s in the military, or the police — they get extra credit, as they say in school,” he said. “Let’s let him live his life.”
Others were also being urgently called, some of them by Mr. Kerik. Christopher Ruddy. Geraldo Rivera. Charlie Daniels. In the end they joined more people who had signed on, many of them avid Trump supporters, including the Newsmax television host John Cardillo and Mr. Gallagher, the former Navy SEAL. (Mr. Giuliani declined to comment on his role in Mr. Kerik’s pardon, although a White House news release listed him as having supported it.)Others were also being urgently called, some of them by Mr. Kerik. Christopher Ruddy. Geraldo Rivera. Charlie Daniels. In the end they joined more people who had signed on, many of them avid Trump supporters, including the Newsmax television host John Cardillo and Mr. Gallagher, the former Navy SEAL. (Mr. Giuliani declined to comment on his role in Mr. Kerik’s pardon, although a White House news release listed him as having supported it.)
A few minutes before noon that Tuesday, Mr. Trump picked up the telephone to say that all was forgiven. With that, Bernard B. Kerik was back in business.A few minutes before noon that Tuesday, Mr. Trump picked up the telephone to say that all was forgiven. With that, Bernard B. Kerik was back in business.
Michael Rothfeld contributed reporting. Alain Delaqueriere and Susan Beachy contributed research.Michael Rothfeld contributed reporting. Alain Delaqueriere and Susan Beachy contributed research.