A gift that keeps on giving

Bernie Kerik.

Federal investigators offered to end their criminal investigation of Bernard B. Kerik, the city’s former police and correction commissioner, in exchange for his pleading guilty to charges that he engaged in federal tax fraud and wiretap conspiracy, but he refused, according to Mr. Kerik’s lawyer and a person briefed on the case.

The plea offer was made during a 90-minute meeting last month between Perry A. Carbone and Elliott B. Jacobson, two assistant United States attorneys in Manhattan, and one of Mr. Kerik’s lawyers, Kenneth M. Breen, a former federal prosecutor who is now a partner with the firm of Fulbright & Jaworski.

“Mr. Kerik rejected the plea offer because he paid his taxes and did nothing wrong,” said Mr. Breen, who represents Mr. Kerik along with another lawyer, Joseph Tacopina.

Federal investigators in recent months have explored a range of allegations about Mr. Kerik, a leading official under Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, including accusations he conspired to help the former Westchester County district attorney, Jeanine F. Pirro, plant listening devices to catch her husband in an extramarital affair. Mr. Kerik and Ms. Pirro were captured on a state wiretap discussing such a plan.

Investigators have also been reviewing the circumstances under which Mr. Kerik accepted $165,000 in free renovations to his Bronx apartment in 1999 from Interstate Industrial Corporation, a New Jersey contractor, or a subsidiary. Last summer in State Supreme Court in the Bronx, Mr. Kerik pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts and admitted accepting the free work.

At the time, Mr. Tacopina said Mr. Kerik did not owe any federal taxes on the construction work.

Bernard Kerik was made NY Police Commissioner on the basis of his loyalty to Rudolph Giuliani when he served as the latter's driver and bodyguard. I wonder how the presidential candidate feels about that loyalty now?