Dean: Giuliani's Longtime Support of Indicted Figure is Latest Chapter of Republican Culture of Corruption

November 9, 2007

Upon hearing the news that Bernard Kerik would be indicted on multiple corruption charges, Rudy Giuliani refused to say whether or not he would pardon his long time friend. Having helped shepherd Kerik's career, evidence suggests that Giuliani knew about Kerik's ethical problems and still promoted him from driver in his 1993 mayoral campaign to New York City's Corrections Department Commissioner to the city's police chief to business partner. [Daily News, 11/09/07]

While he talks about being tough on crime on the campaign trail, Rudy Giuliani continues to evade questions about his knowledge of Kerick's ethical problems. While Bernard Kerik was the Corrections Department Commissioner appointed by Giuliani, he accepted $165,000 in gifts from an allegedly mob-linked construction firm. Rudy Giuliani has not disputed evidence presented to a grand jury that he was briefed on Bernard Kerik's relationship with that company before Kerik's appointment as New York City police commissioner. [The New York Times, 3/30/07, 7/10/06; Newsday, 12/18/04]

Rudy Giuliani personally called President Bush and recommended Kerik to be Homeland Security chief. According to the Washington Post, even as the nomination broke down amidst massive ethical questions, Giuliani advised Kerik through the political storm.

Giuliani also has been criticized for employing his childhood friend, former Monsignor Alan Placa, although "Placa was barred from the ministry after being accused of sexual abuse and of helping cover up abuse by other priests." [Associated Press, 11/9/07]

In light of these revelations, DNC Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement:

"The fact that Rudy Giuliani shepherded the career of Bernard Kerik despite his ethical problems speaks volumes about the Republican Party and its candidates. This scandal represents the latest chapter of the Republican culture of corruption and cronyism that voters have already rejected. From Tom Delay to Scooter Libby to Jack Abramoff to Bernard Kerik, the Republican Party has too often rewarded cronies at the expense of the American people.

Rudy Giuliani's attempt to minimize this scandal suggests that just like President Bush, the same Republican culture of corruption would be the norm in a Giuliani White House."