Posted on 12/13/2004 3:27:04 AM PST by billorites
Former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik conducted two extramarital affairs simultaneously, using a secret Battery Park City apartment for the passionate liaisons, the Daily News has learned. The first relationship, spanning nearly a decade, was with city Correction Officer Jeanette Pinero; the second, and more startling, was with famed publishing titan Judith Regan. His affair with Regan, the stunningly attractive head of her own book publishing company, lasted for almost a year. Dramatically, each woman learned of the existence of the other after Pinero discovered a love note left by Regan in the apartment. The revelations about Kerik's private life come as repercussions over his suitability to be nominated for the post of secretary of homeland security. Kerik, 49, married with two children from his current marriage, withdrew his name from consideration in a sudden and unexpected call to the White House on Friday night. Kerik said that questions about the immigration status of his family's former nanny and failure to pay taxes prompted his decision to walk away from the job. But speculation has continued that there were deeper and more controversial reasons. Yesterday, The News reported that a six-month investigation showed Kerik had accepted thousands of dollars in cash and gifts without proper disclosure, and had ties to a construction company that investigators believe is linked to the mob. Now revelations about his private life also cast a shadow on his suitability for one of the administration's highest-profile cabinet positions. Asked about the affairs and the secret love nest yesterday, Joseph Tacopina, Kerik's attorney, said Kerik and Regan had denied the affair in the past. Tacopina said Kerik's "friendship" with Pinero ended in 1996. He would not comment on the apartment. Regan could not be reached for comment. But sources with intimate knowledge of both affairs painted a picture of passionate, and sometimes volatile, liaisons. The tumultuous Regan-Kerik romance carried on for months, through the writing, publication and promotion of his autobiography, "The Lost Son: A Life in Pursuit of Justice," which Regan's company published. The two worked out together most mornings at the New York Sports Club in Rockefeller Center and often dined at Fresco restaurant in midtown, according to sources. Kerik visited Regan's Central Park West apartment almost daily, and occasionally stayed the night, with his police detail camped outside. They became so close that Kerik's two nieces stayed with Regan while the commissioner's sister was hospitalized, one source said. Regan visited the Battery Park apartment several times, the source said, but apparently never knew that his actual residence at that time was an apartment on E. 79th St. Furnished corporate rentals similar to the unit Kerik used, according to the sources, are advertised at monthly rents from $3,150 to $6,200. Representatives of Milstein Properties, whichs owns the Liberty View, could not be reached yesterday. After one encounter, Regan left a romantic note, which was later discovered by Pinero. The two later spoke on the phone. "She wanted to know if Judith was still seeing him," the source said. "She told Regan about their affair and Regan told her she was shocked." Many close to Kerik in the mid-1990s assumed that someday he would marry Pinero, a career correction officer described as spirited and attractive by friends, a close friend and a former high-ranking Correction Department source said. The relationship continued after Kerik married Hala Matli, a hygienist in his dentist's office whom he met in mid-1996 and wed in November 1998, according to multiple sources close to Pinero and Kerik. Kerik's affair with Pinero is at the center of two lawsuits against the city, both brought by correction employees who claimed Kerik retaliated after they crossed her. The city settled one last year for $250,000, The News reported at the time. The second suit, in which Pinero and Kerik were deposed last week, was filed by former Deputy Warden Eric DeRavin 3rd, who claims Kerik quashed his promotion after he reprimanded Pinero. The city demanded a gag order on both depositions. Pinero declined to comment. But sources with whom she has spoken said that on her trips to the Battery Park City apartment, Pinero was shuttled in through a side service door. "She's going to be my wife for as long we live. I support her 100%," said Pinero's husband, who asked that his name be withheld. Yesterday, Kerik remained at his $1.2 million home in Franklin Lakes, N.J. After announcing his decision to withdraw his name from the top homeland security post, he remained at the house over the weekend, emerging only twice to talk to media. On both occasions, he stressed that he had made the decision to withdraw his name from consideration solely on the basis of problems with the family nanny. He said he had realized on Wednesday evening that there were issues with the woman's immigration status and tax status. He added that he wanted to avoid any embarrassment to the President, with whom he had stood side-by-side at a press conference announcing his nomination just a week before. Kerik, who had a national profile after the events of 9/11, had been one of Bush's most enthusiastic public supporters during the election campaign.
With Nancy Dillon
Originally published on December 13, 2004
if that is a prerequisite for getting a publishing deal im going out and buying a word prosessor he first thing in the morning :-)
Absolutely. Once a person has crossed that line, it's not so hard to cross the line in other areas. Take a look at these husbands who kill their wives.
There is a psychological pathology to adultery that is sociopathic. Marriage and family are supposed to be the most important relationships we have in life. When you no longer honor that - what do you honor?
Speaking of his home how did he afford a house like that?
Huh?
In other words, if you're going to hell for it, you might as well have a really good time doin' it?
"what is the deal with the vetting"
Hay now, let's take it easy. They have a solid track record of getting serious, professional adults confirmed and serving the people.
Kerik by all accounts was an excellent choice based on his career record. It is just sad that the Administration isn't able to take his private good conduct for granted, which after the 90's I guess is to much to ask.
Oh well, it's still better than finding out our putative Surgeon General is a serial baby-killer.
A lot of accusations, but few facts. Quite a bit of this can be explained away. Sounds like a scorned woman taking revenge to me. The Daily News had better make sure their lawyer retainers cover intentional libel - Kerik is a currently private citizen and well able to hire a fleet of lawyers himself.
And that was a calm paragraph.
From what I could glean, Regan had an affair with her second husband and then that husband had other affairs and then she went on to have other affairs with other married men with children, all while complaining about men abandoning her.
She may be a good publisher, but she's a bad human.
No way! Bernard Kerik needs to answer many questions about his use of public funds, about how he paid for a pricy Battery Park apartment (Or who paid for it and why they paid for it), etc. The Commisioner of Corrections and the Commissioner of Police in New York City are both prohibited from accepting most gratuities from just about anyone (as are their subordinates). The reason for this prohibition is to keep such individuals from being "bought and paid for" by individuals who could benefit from such a purchase and to prevent those holding positions of public trust from using their positions for personal gain.
P.S. Here in Massghanistan the New York State police will not even accept a cup of coffee from a member of the general public. I even know a two troopers who have refused accepting a cup of coffee at Dunkin' Donuts from their parents to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
He seems to be lacking in Kerik-ter.
If your spouse can't trust you --- then who can?
White House incompetence on this level is scary.
Kerik's taste in women is commendable, but adultery
isn't. Why are so many first-rate public figures
third-rate in their personal lives?
That said, I bet Judith Regan is hard to resist ...
The hypocrisy inherent in wanting the benefits of being married - including the approval of others/belief that you're a regular guy - is a poisonous thing. The evil pride that you're "getting away with something" can be corrupting. Beware the slut attack - or pay the price. Like a pro athlete I could name but don't have to...
This stuff probably didn't bother Rudy because he's been married, what - three or is it four times? And haven't I read that he carried on affairs while married?
Uh, yes it IS about the affairs, because they show he's not trustworthy. As Truman said, if a man will lie to his wife, why shouldn't he lie to me?
Kudos. My thoughts exactly.
My mother always said, if he'll do it with you, he'll do it to you.
his sex life has nothing to do with serving as DHS chief. can you vouch that no current cabinet officers are cheating on their wives? this is jus a smear, and too many freepers are buying into this. when it comes times to appoint SCOTUS judges, would you exclude anyone who had an affair? or a divorce? how about if the nominee got a lap dance while in law school, does that disqualify him?
How about somebody NOT from N.Y.?
Maybe Sheriff Arpaio (SP?) from AZ?
Some one from the West, where we still have some L.E. types who support an unabridged constitution and bill of rights, and are not related to or beholden to mobsters.
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