Former New York police commissioner Bernard Kerik pleaded guilty to a slew of charges in his high-profile corruption trial, a federal prosecutor said.
Kerik, who was New York's head of police at the time of the September 11, 2001 attacks, on Thursday admitted to accepting $2,55,000 worth of renovations to his apartment from a construction firm angling for government contracts.
The company -- which is suspected of having mob ties -- installed marble bathrooms, a jacuzzi and a new kitchen in the former police chief's apartment in the upscale New York suburb of Riverdale.
According to the indictment, Kerik then contacted regulators on behalf of the firm, but concealed the payments in tax returns as the firm was being investigated.
He also pleaded guilty to lying to White House officials about the renovations while being vetted to become the head of Homeland Security.
He pleaded guilty to a total of eight charges.
"It is a sad day when the former chief law enforcement officer of New York City pleads guilty to eight federal felonies," said US Attorney Preet Bharara, "but no one is above the law."
Kerik was also accused of not declaring a total of $2,36,000 in rent he received on an luxury apartment in New York's posh Upper East Side.
{{/usCountry}}Kerik was also accused of not declaring a total of $2,36,000 in rent he received on an luxury apartment in New York's posh Upper East Side.
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