Former Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik got a break from his prison cell on Monday when he was called to testify against two friends on trial for perjury.
During the trial that led to his 2009 conviction on eight federal charges, Mr. Kerik previously pleaded guilty to allowing Frank and Peter DiTommaso’s company or a subsidiary of it to pay for extensive renovations, valued at more than $250,000, to Mr. Kerik’s home.
The brothers have been accused of lying to a grand jury, and making false claims that their construction company — Interstate Industrial Corporation, which has previously been placed under investigation for ties to organized crime — did not pay for renovations they made to Mr. Kerik’s apartment while they sought a city contract.
On Monday, Mr. Kerik admitted that he never saw a bill for the pricey home improvement, paying only about $30,000 for the extensive job, according to news sources.
Mr. Kerik was reportedly uncooperative when faced with prosecution’s questioning, limiting what details he gave out and forcing the Assistant District Attorney Stuart Levy to show him evidence in order to get a straight answer.
Although Mr. Kerik confirmed that neither he nor the DiTommaso brothers paid in full for the extensive work on his apartment, news sources say Mr. Kerik claimed he was not aware of who covered the cost.
News sources and photos depict Mr. Kerik as being noticeably thinner, and lacking his trademark mustache. He also began crying during questioning by defense attorney Cathy Fleming, who pushed him to recount his previous trials, ultimately asking whether or not his guilty plea was made in the hopes of being able to move on.
