MANHATTAN - Federal prosecutors today will ask a grand jury to indict former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik on charges of conspiracy, corruption and tax fraud, The New York Times reported this morning. Prosecutors claim Kerik failed to report more than $200,000 in income, including $165,000 in renovations to his apartment from a contractor who was seeking a city license.
If the Westchester County grand jury approves the indictment today, it is expected to be unsealed Friday in the Federal Court in White Plains. If Kerik is indicted, it will complicate the presidential aspirations of his friend and former business partner, Rudy Giuliani, Who appointed Kerik police commissioner. Giuliani also recommended Kerik to President Bush to be secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Bush did nominate Kerik for the post in 2004, but the appointment went nowhere after Kerik admitted he had not paid taxes on a nanny. When he was nominated to lead the DHS, Kerik was in charge of training Iraqi police.
Kerik pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor last year in state court, for failing to report the renovations to his apartment.
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