Kerik withdraws contract
Guyana Chronicle
April 12, 2007
CONTROVERSIAL former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik has withdrawn his contract to offer security consultancy services to the Government of Guyana, President Bharrat Jagdeo announced yesterday.
At a news conference at the Office of the President, Mr. Jagdeo said Mr. Kerik, like he did recently in Trinidad and Tobago where he was also hired, has indicated his intention to withdraw his contract since he does not want to “taint” the image of these two countries.
Kerik is currently embroiled in a legal battle with prosecutors in the United States where he could be indicted on multiple felony counts, including tax evasion, conspiracy to eavesdrop and providing false information.
Kerik has denied any wrongdoing, saying he is innocent.
“Mr. Kerik has indicated to me his intention to withdraw from his contract here too for the same reasons he withdrew from Trinidad. He said he does not want the country to be tainted, and that as far as he was concerned, he is innocent but this will all go away,” the President told reporters.
“So, he has indicated his intention to withdraw his contract until the matter has been resolved.”
President Jagdeo announced last year that Kerik would begin working as his security adviser despite criticism over the former New York City official's history of alleged ethics violations.
Kerik was hired from February 1 this year to provide “general services” to President Jagdeo and the Minister of Home Affairs.
Kerik gained prominence in the U.S. for his work after the September 11 terrorist attacks but withdrew from acknowledging President George W. Bush’s nomination as Homeland Security chief over ethical reasons.
In late 2004, President Bush nominated him for Homeland Security chief, but Kerik allegedly withdrew after acknowledging he had not paid all the taxes for a family nanny-housekeeper and that the woman may have been in the country illegally.
Kerik was expected to be one of the persons that would be working with the government during the reform process of the Guyana Police Force, along with the Scottish Police and the British Government.
President Jagdeo yesterday assured that the Police reform process will go ahead.
He said the British Government has submitted a proposal which he will be reviewing and responding to in the coming week.