Posted on 12/20/2004 12:57:47 PM PST by calcowgirl
December 20, 2004 -- IT is entirely possible that there is an inno cent explanation for everything Bernard Kerik has said and done in recent days, and for the information about his past life that has surfaced as a result.
But Kerik has not yet provided it and more information dribbles out daily to fan the flames that are devouring his reputation. In a minute we'll turn to the newest revelation — that Kerik may not have fully informed federal investigators about the nature and duration of his involvement with a Long Island penny stock company called Dataworld Solutions Inc.
But first some perspective on what this entire matter is really all about: the ex-commissioner's solidifying public image as a man tied far too closely to the world of oraganized crime. Kerik's choice of a lawyer to represent him before the public has certainly not helped. The attorney in question, Joseph Tacopina, is by all accounts a skilled and able lawyer, and he has several high profile-acquittals to point to in that regard, including one of the defendants in the Abner Louima case. But when it comes to public relations advocacy, Tacopina is proving to be a real liability for Kerik.
That is because Tacopina's own past includes membership on the criminal defense team that defended Gambino crime family boss John Gotti. Most recently, he has been lead lawyer at the trial of a bag man for John Gotti's brother, Peter. As a result, every time Tacopina steps up to defend Kerik, he cannot help but remind one of what this is really all about.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Ray is also the source of many of the most lurid revelations regarding Kerik's links to the criminal underworld.
Until his indictment in March of 2000, Ray was a close confidante and financial supporter of Kerik's, serving as best man at Kerik's wedding in 1998, as well as making him gifts of more than $7,000 in cash and valuables.
Last week Ray was vague with me concerning how and when he first met Kerik or who had introduced them to each other. But Ray did say that when someone he grew up with and who turned out to be "real bad" entangled him in what developed eventually into a securities fraud case involving a mob-infested company called U.S. Bridge of New York, Kerik introduced him to the FBI.
Whether or not he wound up helping the government (and he is vague on that point, too), he was nonetheless eventually indicted anyway. The U.S. Attorney in the case declined to discuss the matter.
It's kind of quiet around here.
I guess folks aren't interested in "the rest of the story."
That's why I haven't been coming around lately.
It's one thing to circle the wagons during the election, but it's quite another to shift the values of the party to suit continuous election cycles.
We have a deep bench - we don't need trash running the party, no matter how well-known.
>>It's one thing to circle the wagons during the election, but it's quite another to shift the values of the party to suit continuous election cycles.
I totally agree. Turning one's head to possible corruption instead of pushing for investigation will be the death of the party in the long run.
We can be proud that the NYPost is interested. If this were a rat situation what could we expect from the Gray Lady? (New York Times newspaper.)
It's not like anyone is DEFENDING Kerik. We just don't care about the man. If he was gettin' it on in the apartment across from the WTC wreck while his folks sweated in the sun, I certainly hope that he's strung up for it. I'm sure most others here feel the same way, and don't feel a need to state it when it's obvious we are all together on this.
But "the rest of the story" is that Kerik is going to be tied to Bush so long as the Rats can do so and profitably do it. Blaming Freepers for not being eager to perpetuate the "Kerik Bad, Bush is too" story is just silly, because it's got nothing to do with them approving of Kerik, and everything to do with them not wanting Bush demeaned for no good reason. If this were about Spitzer, or his nominee, the MSM would be shoving it under the rug so fast the floorboards would be smoking.
Very true. The above article happens to be from the business section of the NYPost. Byron has investigated and exposed stock frauds for years. I think he is pretty apolitical, but I'm not sure. I wouldn't be surprised if this whole mess crosses political lines anyway.
I'm looking for the "Bush got snookered" story, which I believe is more accurate. I believe that would be more beneficial than trying to ignore the elephant in the room.
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