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Originally Posted by KirkVining
Former NYC Police Commissioner Kerik, nominated to head the chaotic Homeland Security Department, has withdrawn his nomination. He claims he had a "nanny problem". There now seems to be a great deal of controversy over whether this is a cover story, with Newsweek magazine saying they brought allegations of financial misdealings and the fact there was an open arrest warrant for Kerik in force for his failure to appear to face a subpoena. They notified the White House of their intention to print this story at 6 PM, and by 8:30 he resigned, citing this "nanny problem".
In general, this was a terrible nominee - despite his WTC hero-myth and Fox News-created media persona, many NYPD blamed his prior mismanagement of causing problems that resulted in the disorganized reponse on 9-11 that resulted in the deaths of NYPD personnel. In addition, he was appointed to a six month assignment in Iraq and forced to leave after three months following allegations of mismanagement and what some described as "meglomania", given credence by the fact he liked to refer to himself as "The new Interior Minister of Iraq" while his tenure there was disatourous in terms of mission faliure as we all know by the magnificent state of the Iraqi security forces, that is if you can find them. Added to that were allegations of conflict of interest in goverment contracts. How did such a loser get appointment to high office? Why the cover up?
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I understand Gonzales did the 'vetting'. You'd think the WH counsel would have more tools than Google, right?
Nominee Initially Denied Having Hired an Illegal Immigrant, Officials Say
By Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, December 12, 2004; Page A01
White House officials yesterday blamed Bernard B. Kerik for repeatedly failing to disclose potential legal problems to administration lawyers vetting his nomination to be homeland security secretary, as President Bush prepared to quickly name a replacement and try to put the controversy over the former New York police commissioner's background behind him.
Kerik, who withdrew his own nomination Friday and apologized yesterday for embarrassing Bush, was asked numerous times by White House lawyers if he had employed an illegal immigrant or failed to pay taxes on domestic help, the sources said.
Kerik was told he would humiliate his family, himself and the president if he lied on either account, the officials said. He responded with firm denials. After digging deeper, however, Kerik said he discovered last week that he might have a problem on both accounts and withdrew his name.
In the vetting process, which was conducted by the office of White House counsel Alberto R. Gonzales, Kerik also never mentioned that a New Jersey judge had issued a warrant for his arrest in 1998 over a civil dispute over unpaid bills, the sources said. The existence of the dispute was first reported by Newsweek Friday night.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57960-2004Dec11.html