Former NYC Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik Sent to Jail

Oct. 20, 2009 — -- A Federal judge revoked the bail of former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik and ordered him remanded to prison on the eve of his corruption trial, calling him a "toxic combination of self-minded focus and arrogance."

Kerik was indicted in 2007 on charges including the alleged acceptance of free rent and apartment renovations, tax evasion and lying on his application for the job as head of the Department of Homeland Security. Kerik has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following a pre-trial conference in White Plains, N.Y., today, Federal Court Judge Stephen Robinson said towards the close of the three-and-a-half hour proceeding that Kerik "sees himself as a victim" and rescinded Kerik's $500,000 bail.

The judge found that Kerik repeatedly leaked sealed information, apparently sharing documents with two lawyers who had not filed notices of appearance before the court, and who in turn leaked the information to a newspaper.

Kerik was remanded after the court found he had obstructed justice and disobeyed its order.

Robinson, in ordering Kerik to jail, also slammed his defense saying Kerik "could have been better served by legal counsel."

Kerik, removing his purple tie, emptying his pockets and giving a ring from his finger to his lawyer, was led from the court by marshals. He was to be sent to a county facility at Valhalla, NY., where the federal government rents space.

Defense lawyer Barry Berke headed for the federal court in Manhattan in an effort to appeal. Kerik's corruption trial is scheduled to begin on Monday.

Kerik's reputation took on heroic proportions in the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

Side by side with "America's Mayor" Rudolph Giuliani, Kerik was seen as part of the glue that held the city together and soon, owing to the support of Giuliani and a bond he had developed with President George Bush, Kerik was nominated to be "America's Police Commissioner" -- the head of the Department of Homeland Security.

"Bernie Kerik is one of the most accomplished and effective leaders of law enforcement in America. In his career, he has served as an enlisted military police officer in Korea, a jail warden in New Jersey, a beat cop in Manhattan, New York City corrections commissioner, and as New York's 40th police commissioner -- an office once held by Teddy Roosevelt. In every position, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to justice, a heart for the innocent, and a record of great success," President Bush said.

Now, Kerik faces another trial on tax charges and a third that claims he lied to White house officials during his interviews for the Homeland Security secretary post. He later withdrew his nomination for the job.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.