Bernie Kerik (David McGlynn)
HI, DADDY! Slimmed-down Bernie Kerik (inset, above middle) hugs daughter Celine yesterday as wife Hala and daughter Angelina await their turn at home in Franklin Lakes, NJ. (
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Disgraced former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik was released from federal prison yesterday and headed straight to his New Jersey mansion to celebrate the end of his three-year stint behind bars.
“He’s doing great, he’s thrilled to be home with his family,’’ a source said of the slimmed-down Kerik, 57, wearing an electronic ankle bracelet as part of his house arrest until the completion of his sentence in October.
The ex-top cop was driven the 300 miles from the federal pokey in Cumberland, Md., in a blue Chevy Suburban and arrived at his Franklin Lakes home shortly before 2 p.m.
Kerik, dressed in blue jeans and a dark gray striped shirt with the sleeves rolled up, hugged his wife, Hala, two daughters, Angelina and Celine, and son, Joe, on the front steps of the home.
Also greeting Kerik was his German shepherd, Duchess. In March, Kerik had written on his blog how another of his beloved shepherds, Duke, died in June 2011 while Kerik was in jail.
Kerik — once under consideration to become George W. Bush’s homeland-security chief, only to be later convicted of tax fraud — briefly smiled and waved at reporters before heading inside.
More than a dozen friends and well-wishers joined Kerik at the house.
They feasted on such Kerik favorites as shrimp scampi, fresh mozzarella and brownies, said caterer and family friend Albert Manzo, who appears with his wife, Caroline, on TV’s “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.”
Kerik pleaded guilty in 2009 to tax fraud and making false statements about $250,000 in free renovations he received for a Bronx apartment.
The former top cop was released under a sweet deal: He had five months to go on his four-year prison term and will now be kept only under house. He must check in with his parole officer before heading out, a source said.