home

Bernie Kerik's Name Removed From Jail Building

In 2004, in noting that one of Rudy Giuliani's last acts in office was to rename the Manhattan Detention Complex (better known as 'The Tombs') the "Bernard Kerik Detention Complex," I wondered if Rudy would ever live down his endorsement of Kerik.

On Saturday, one day after Kerik pleaded guilty to two corruption-related misdemeanors, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered Kerik's name removed from the complex. Within hours, it was physically stripped from the building, which will again be known as the Manhattan Detention Complex.

As for Kerik, he's "unfazed." [More...]

Mr. Kerik's lawyer, Joseph Tacopina, said his client was unfazed by the decision. "Having his name on a building or not doesn't change his legacy as correction commissioner," Mr. Tacopina said.

He emphasized that the charges to which Mr. Kerik pleaded guilty were "unclassified misdemeanors" and not violations of the state penal code.

I'll bet Kerik is unfazed, since he made $6.2 million on the sale of his stock options in the stun gun company, Taser International and can probably just write a check for both his fines and his legal fees with no sweat.

Records filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission show Kerik had earned more than 6.2 million dollars in pretax profits through stock options he was granted by Taser International, a manufacturer of stun guns. Kerik sold most of the stocks last month and the White House has said the former police commissioner would resign from Taser's board and sell his remaining stock if confirmed by the Senate.

But, I wonder if the distinction as to the nature of the misdemeanors matters to anyone but Bernie.

Rudy probably knows better than to use it as a defense when he's asked about his continual support of Bernie on the 2008 campaign trail. Let's see him live this one down -- here's Rudy's press release for the 2001 dedication ceremony of Kerik's House of Detention, which, if you keep scrolling down through the photos, you can see was launched with great pomp and fanfare.

"I am proud to have had Bernard Kerik serve in my Administration, and delighted that the renaming of this complex will serve as a lasting reminder of his many important achievements."

As to the pomp, scroll down even more to the program notes:

Presentation of Colors:
NYC DOC, Ceremonial Unit

National Anthem:
Captain Michael Ficco

Invocation:
Rabbi Leib Glanz

Musical Selection:
NYC DOC, Emerald Pipe Band

Remarks and Dedication:
Commissioner William J. Fraser

Remarks, Guest of Honor:
Bernard B. Kerik, Commissioner
New York City Police Department

Benediction:
Rabbi Leib Glanz

Because it will probably disappear from the web as fast as Bernie's name was stripped from the building, here's a photo of the Bernard B. Kerik Detention Complex, in all its glory.

tombs

< Late Night Music: For Bernie | "Operation Swift" Was No Secret >
  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


  • Display: Sort:
    Re: Bernie Kerik's Name Removed From Jail Building (none / 0) (#1)
    by scribe on Mon Jul 03, 2006 at 12:39:04 AM EST
    Here's a nice article from the Daily News (Sunday 7/2) about the need to re-name. Regardless of renaming, this place was, is and will likely forever be known by its unofficial name, The Tombs. Specuilation was Bernie made anough profit from the sale of the apartment that he didn't need to tap into the proceeds from the Taser options. Slightly OT (but not really, since one of the guards in the story above notes the only reason he's not going is because his name is Kerik), this is what happens when you're a rapper. Lil' Kim's gettin' out.

    Re: Bernie Kerik's Name Removed From Jail Building (none / 0) (#2)
    by Che's Lounge on Mon Jul 03, 2006 at 07:42:22 AM EST
    Like the Chevron Condoleeza Rice, they should have left the name on. What are they afraid of? Or are they just ashamed? These are our leaders? What a bunch of chickens**ts. With friends like these, who needs "terrists"?

    Yes!!! That sign has been ridiculous for a couple of years now. Also, I had no idea that the Department of Corrections had an Emerald Pipe Band.

    Re: Bernie Kerik's Name Removed From Jail Building (none / 0) (#4)
    by cpinva on Mon Jul 03, 2006 at 08:12:35 AM EST
    ok, next to go: "ronald reagan" national airport, in va. it pissed me off when the repubs renamed it, they can bloody well change it back. btw, has anyone but me noticed that kerik doesn't seem to have a neck?

    And yet this disgraced person still appears on MSNBC and Faux News. He has been on Hardball and The Abrams Report within the past month alone! I just don't get why he should be believed or even respected. Does it have something to do with their pushing of Giuliani for president? Can someone 'splain this to me? I believe there is still a building with Hoover the cross dresser's name on it too. Aloha!