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Ex-NY police chief Kerik guilty | Ex-NY police chief Kerik guilty |
(40 minutes later) | |
Former New York City police chief Bernard Kerik has pleaded guilty to lying to the White House, tax evasion and corruption charges, in a plea deal. | |
Mr Kerik, who was police commissioner at the time of the 9/11 attacks, had been due to stand trial next week. | |
He had his bail revoked two weeks ago for passing on secret pre-trial documents and has been in prison since. | He had his bail revoked two weeks ago for passing on secret pre-trial documents and has been in prison since. |
He made false statements to the White House in 2004 while being considered for a job as homeland security chief. | |
Mr Kerik made his eight guilty pleas at a court in White Plains, New York state. | |
The admissions are part of a plea bargain designed to resolve three pending criminal trials on 15 federal counts. Mr Kerik had previously denied all charges. | |
He faces sentencing in February next year. | |
National hero | National hero |
In court, Judge Stephen Robinson warned Mr Kerik that he could face up to 61 years in prison for the offences to which he was pleading guilty. | In court, Judge Stephen Robinson warned Mr Kerik that he could face up to 61 years in prison for the offences to which he was pleading guilty. |
Under the plea bargain, the prosecution has suggested the former police commissioner be sentenced to between 27 and 33 months in jail. | Under the plea bargain, the prosecution has suggested the former police commissioner be sentenced to between 27 and 33 months in jail. |
Mr Kerik told the court he had given up his right to appeal. He has also agreed to file amended tax returns and pay restitution. | |
As well as making false statements to the White House and other federal officials, Mr Kerik admitted accepting a $250,000 (£151,000) payback in the form of apartment renovations from a company to which he gave a city contract. | |
He also admitted tax crimes including failing to report more than $500,000 (£302,000) in taxable income between 1999 and 2004. | |
Mr Kerik had been hailed as a national hero following the 9/11 terror attacks and was nominated for the post of the head of the Department of Homeland Security under the Bush administration in 2004. | |
But he withdrew his name from consideration for the role after he was accused of failing to pay taxes, and of having extramarital affairs. | But he withdrew his name from consideration for the role after he was accused of failing to pay taxes, and of having extramarital affairs. |