Opinion

The fall of Bernie Kerik

The roller-coaster life of Bernie Kerik hit its nadir Thursday in a federal courthouse in White Plains, as a judge imposed a four-year prison sentence on the former police commissioner.

For an array of offenses that included filing false tax returns and lying to federal investigators after Kerik’s nomination as homeland security chief, Judge Stephen Robinson imposed an even longer term than the 27 to 33 months that federal guidelines suggest.

Noting Kerik’s former position as “the chief law-enforcement officer for the biggest and grandest city this nation has,” Robinson pointed out that several of the eight felonies to which Kerik pleaded guilty occurred as he was “attempting to [gain] a Cabinet-level position in the government of the United States.”

It’s hard to argue with Robinson’s logic: Surely, Kerik had it coming. But that doesn’t make the case any less sad.

Bernie Kerik rose from very humble beginnings: His mother, an alcoholic prostitute, was murdered by her pimp. Through hard work, he caught the eye and gained the trust of Rudy Giuliani — hardly a naive individual.

He would become, first, head of the Department of Correction and eventually police commissioner.

Alas, Bernie Kerik’s corrupt side led to the betrayal of his boss’ trust and his city’s faith — and brought him to prison.

Case closed.