Former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik has withdrawn his name from consideration for nomination to the post of Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on Friday, December 10th.
The Associated Press notes that this is likely related to the unclear legal status of a housekeeper and nanny employed by Mr Kerik.
One administration official helping prepare Kerik for Senate confirmation, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Kerik's unexpected decision shocked senior leaders at the Homeland Security Department. This official said Kerik still had not filled out all his ethics filings which would detail his sources of income and financial liabilities and said the FBI background investigation of Kerik was still incomplete.But the only moderately troubling information uncovered about Kerik so far was news that Kerik had earned $6.2 million by exercising stock options he received from Taser International, which did lucrative business with the Department of Homeland Security, this official said.
Kerik said the problematic issue arose as he was completing documents required for Senate confirmation. "I uncovered information that now leads me to question the immigration status of a person who had been in my employ as a housekeeper and nanny. It has also been brought to my attention that for a period of time during such employment required tax payments and related filings had not been made."
Kerik said he feared that the disclosure of the issue would generate intense scrutiny that would "only serve as a significant and unnecessary distraction to the vital efforts of the Department of Homeland Security."
No details yet on a likely replacement.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
Aaman, they come they go, but your contributions have been monumental, you have very quickly become a backbone of the site - thanks!
2 - Aaman
Thankya Eric for the encouragement - your site is the best forum on the Internet for self- and group-expression.
Back to the story on hand - conflict of interest or nanny stuff?
Other updates here
3 - Sandra Smallson
Somehow, I think Kerik was well aware of this immigration palava, if there is one. Sadly, it is now something that might cause a distraction in the job he accepted just last week, so he claims to have just become aware of it. Pish Posh! On the other hand, it seems too simple a reason to refuse to take such a job. There is probably another reason but I am not sure this matter is of any interest to me. I comment on it because it has been drummed into my ears everytime I turn to the News.
4 - Rashlinda
Is it possible that Bernie Kerik simply chickened out when the brass ring was within his grasp?
Doubtless most Americans would have forgiven most anything in his past because of his performance on 9/11.
What a pity!
5 - c a birney
Kissinger plus Rockefeller = Dubya plus Kerik . Games the same; Faces? Well forget the immigrant broad even if true. The hook was $$$ & for such a straight guy! Yeh sure. Keep spinning Geo. D. lovers.