Ex-NYPD Commish Kerik Indicted in DC

Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik was indicted on charges of making false statements to White House officials vetting him for the position of Homeland Security secretary.

The new indictment was handed up Tuesday by a federal grand jury in Washington, and means Kerik will face trials in New York and Washington, D.C.

Similar false statement charges were brought as part of the larger case in New York but were dismissed and transferred to Washington, where the crimes allegedly occurred about a decade ago.

The indictment alleges Kerik falsely denied to White House officials that as a public official he had any financial dealings with individuals seeking to do business with the city. Prosecutors said contractors seeking the business spent more than $255,000 renovating Kerik's apartment in the Bronx.

Kerik eventually withdrew his name from the running, allowing Tom Ridge to take the newly created Homeland Security position under George W. Bush.

Kerik's lawyer, Barry Berke, called the accusations unfounded and says his client will be completely vindicated.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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