Kerik Pleads Guilty in Corruption Case

Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik pleaded guilty today to lying to the White House and said he would also admit to tax crimes. The plea bargain, which applies to an anticipated eight charges, includes the prosecution's suggestion that the sentence be between 27 to 33 months in prison. It was designed to resolve three pending federal criminal trials.

Kerik was nominated for Homeland Security chief in 2004 but withdrew as corruption allegations mounted. The lies to the White House occurred during that vetting process. Kerik also told the court today that he would admit to counts that included cheating the IRS, helping to prepare false tax returns, and making other false statements to the federal government. The judge warned Kerik that the maximum sentence was 61 years and that he wasn't bound by the plea deal.
(More Bernard Kerik stories.)