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Bernard Kerik’s lawyers said they do not know whether the former commissioner has ever spent a night in jail. (Spencer Platt/ Getty Images) |
Ex-NYC police commissioner sent to jail before corruption trial
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - An angry federal judge sent former New York City police commissioner Bernard Kerik to jail yesterday for sharing secret pretrial information with a “propagandist’’ who Kerik said was really his lawyer.
Kerik will await his upcoming corruption trial behind bars. Judge Stephen Robinson found probable cause to believe he was in contempt of court and revoked his $500,000 bail.
His lawyers said they did not know whether Kerik, who has been New York City’s correction commissioner as well as police commissioner, had ever spent a night behind bars.
The judge said he could not find another way to keep Kerik, 54, from trying to contaminate witnesses and the potential jury pool.
“Mr. Kerik’s not special,’’ Robinson said. “He thinks he is.’’
Defense attorney Barry Berke said he would appeal the ruling and seek a stay. Robinson denied a request to keep Kerik out of jail pending the appeal.
Kerik was police commissioner at the time of the 2001 terrorist attacks. He was later President George W. Bush’s pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, but withdrew as corruption allegations mounted.
Kerik’s trial is scheduled to begin Monday with jury selection. He is accused of accepting apartment renovations from a construction company in exchange for recommending the company for city contracts. He has pleaded not guilty.
The issue in yesterday’s court session was Kerik’s relationship with Anthony Modafferi, an Oakland, N.J., lawyer who at least until recently was the trustee of Kerik’s legal defense fund and has written what the judge called “scurrilous’’ Internet articles berating prosecutors.
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
