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themp
Citizen
Username: Themp
Post Number: 1293
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 10:06 am: | 
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KERIK QUIT L.I. FIRM IN A HURRY
By CHRISTOPHER BYRON
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December 15, 2004 --
Bernard Kerik's sudden and unexplained resignation six weeks ago from the advisory board of a Long Island company is raising new questions about the former New York City Police Commissioner's private-sector dealings.
Kerik was nominated by President Bush on Dec. 3 to become Secretary of Homeland Security, but backed out six days later after disclosures about his private life and financial practices.
In late October, Kerik abruptly submitted a resignation letter as an adviser to the firm, Hauppauge-based Defense Technology Systems Inc., failing thereafter to return phone calls asking for an explanation, said the company's chief operating and finance officer, Philip Rauch.
Three weeks later, Kerik returned certificates for 400,000 shares of stock and the surrender of a slew of options he'd been granted by the firm, Rauch said.
Rauch said no one at Defense Technology has any idea why Kerik cut ties to the company, except perhaps in the hope of distancing himself from its association with a Queens-based security-door company, Georal Inc., if questions about that company should have come up at his confirmation hearings.
In late October, Georal's owner, Alan Risi pleaded guilty to submitting inflated and excessive invoices to the city under various contracts, and is scheduled for sentencing this Friday.
In June 2001, when Kerik was running the New York Police Department, Risi's company sold the department four automatic high-security door systems for 1 Police Plaza, at a price that published reports say was roughly $200,000. Georal's general counsel, Theodore Pryor, said that figure is "somewhat low."
When the doors arrived, they were never installed, and wound up being shipped to Rikers Island for use there.
Pryor said the doors were supplied under a contract in which Kerik played no role, which Kerik as well has insisted. Last July, Kerik's successor, Ray Kelly, opened an investigation into door purchases.
Phone calls to Kerik at his office at Giuliani Partners, seeking comment on the matter, were not returned.
People familiar with his role said Kerik did attend meetings that resulted in a deal that made Defense Technology a distributor of Georal's security products.
Rauch said he does not know what role, if any, Kerik may have played in facilitating the deal with Risi's company, but he does say he knows "from principals at Georal," that Kerik's deal with Defense Technology Systems was "very similar" to an arrangement he had with Georal owner Risi. Georal lawyer Pryor said he knows of no such arrangement.
But press accounts have referred to an individual named Lawrence Ray, identified as a "close friend" and best man at one of Kerik's weddings, claiming that Ray had given Kerik $7,000 in cash and other gifts while Kerik was NYPD boss.
SEC filings show that an individual of the same name recently held more than 200 million shares of stock and options in a penny-stock company called FINX Group Inc., which lists Risi and Georal as sole supplier of its main products.
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Chris Prenovost
Citizen
Username: Chris_prenovost
Post Number: 150
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 10:17 am: |
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First of all, the Presidential election is not for another four years, an eternity in politics.
Second, unless Rudy gets personally implicated in this growing scandal, I do not see how he will be harmed.
Third, compared to the voluminous ooze of the Clinton scandals, this is small potatoes. |
Robert Livingston
Citizen
Username: Rob_livingston
Post Number: 596
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 10:22 am: |
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Fourth, yet again, this has nothing to do with Clinton.
Fifth, there wasn't a snowball's chance in hell Giuliani had a shot at the nomination before this. It does leave egg on his face for cashing in his political chip to the Prez.
Bush gets embarrassed by this, which will blow over any day now, although the vetting process certainly needs to be looked into further. C'mon, how many possible skeletons does one guy have that wasn't discovered by the White House.
Kerik, however, is finished.
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Parkbench87
Citizen
Username: Parkbench87
Post Number: 1625
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 10:38 am: |
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Anyone who thinks the Giuliani will get the Republican nomination for President in the current Republican party is out of their mind |
Chris Prenovost
Citizen
Username: Chris_prenovost
Post Number: 152
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 10:39 am: |
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I did not say it had anything to do with Clinton. I was making a comparison of the misdeeds of this administration with those of it's predecessor.
And I have to disagree with you on Giuliani's chances at the polls. A lot of serious right to lifers in the republican party would rather not have a pro-choice candidate, but if he has the votes, he has the votes. And he is very highly regarded by the American public. |
Robert Livingston
Citizen
Username: Rob_livingston
Post Number: 598
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 11:11 am: |
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I can think of no two people who benefitted from the tragedy of 9-11 more than Pres. Bush and Rudy Giuliani.
I can think of no two people who have exploited the tragedy of 9-11 more than Pres. Bush and Rudy Giuliani. |
Parkbench87
Citizen
Username: Parkbench87
Post Number: 1626
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 11:43 am: |
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Chris,
Wait until they start talking about his personal life. I'm sure the Christian conservatives will vote for a man who has been divorced twice, married 3 times, and is pro-choice. Not going to happen. |
Chris Prenovost
Citizen
Username: Chris_prenovost
Post Number: 153
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 11:50 am: |
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The divorce issue did not seem to affect Reagan's appeal to the right. He was divorced and had the wholehearted support of the religious right. |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7023
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 12:04 pm: |
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The religious right, meaning the protestant evangelicals, are the most divorced people in America. There divorce rate is very high. |
Joe
Citizen
Username: Gonets
Post Number: 548
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 12:08 pm: |
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Yes bob,
But do these divorces occur before or after they've been saved? |
themp
Citizen
Username: Themp
Post Number: 1296
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 12:21 pm: |
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It's funny, though, that East Coast Republicans who aren't offended by these things still love and respect the political party that would never run Rudy as president.
It's the same sensation I get when I read David Brooks - a patronizing attitude toward the NASCAR/fundementalist crowd out in the heartland, like they are these noble savages who it wouldn't be quite fair to criticize. I guess it's because they are the ones pulling the plow, and the East Coast conservatives are the ones saying "what a big strong fellow!" and giving them oats to eat. |
Tom Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 4777
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 12:27 pm: |
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A New Yorker for president? That's hilarious. |
Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 245
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 12:41 pm: |
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And I have to disagree with you on Giuliani's chances at the polls. A lot of serious right to lifers in the republican party would rather not have a pro-choice candidate, but if he has the votes, he has the votes. And he is very highly regarded by the American public.
Wait ill they (the American public) get a whiff of those "flings" he had in office while still married to Donna Hanover. (Funny how he announced his divorce to Donna Hanover via the media, to her surprise!) O yeh, bringing his mistress at the time (Judy) to Gracie Mansion for sleepovers (opps I mean visits ).
Wait till they start disecting his political career. (before 9/11 his popularity rating was at a all time low)
Wait till they find out that he left NYC in a financial MESS!
The Ameican public may forgive…but they won't forget. |
Hank Zona
Citizen
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 1879
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 12:48 pm: |
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Guiliani isnt conservative enough, his first marriage was to his first cousin, which may or may not hurt him in various parts of the country, he had Christine Latagano before Judith, but the biggest reason he wont get the nomination..his last name. |
Tom Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 4781
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 12:49 pm: |
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I can never forgive his blatant cluelessness about freedom of speech when he tried to cut funding to the Brooklyn Museum because a display offended him (and other Catholics). There are rules that say you can cut funding, but NOT in response to the art. Giuliani said something like, "yes, we should have freedom of speech, but there should be limits when something is so offensive."
Also, he clamped down on street performers, even in Central Park. That is not an improvement in quality of life, in my view. |
Southerner
Citizen
Username: Southerner
Post Number: 26
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 2:47 pm: |
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I doubt Giuliani will get the nod. Remember, the Republicans are pretty astute at politics. No matter who the two candidates are from both parties it's going to come down to electoral votes and will be very close as the last two elections have been.
The Repubs seem to be able to put aside differences and select the guy who has the best chance to win. The Democrats seem to be a little more idyllistic and choose candidates that meet their party criteria better but appeal to less electoral votes.
If I'm either party I'm looking to get a candidate who is appealing in Florida, Ohio, and these type of battleground states. As has been discussed Governors seem to do better in these elections (Carter, Reagan, Clinton, Bush) than others. Isn't Jeb a governor of a pretty electoral full state? I think so.
My point being is what would the Republicans gain from picking Rudy? No one expects New York to go Republican so it wouldn't be to prudent politically. If the Repubs did pick Rudy then the Democrats should quickly grab Edwards who could play to the mass of electoral votes in the south. All of a sudden I could easily see several states go from red to blue in that fight.
I just don't see the Republicans going away from their current strategy, but if they do then the Democrats have a huge chance to jump in there and make things interesting. But if they go with Kerry or Hillary then I'm afraid (although happily) that the Democrats will find themselves in the same boat as this year. |
Debby
Citizen
Username: Debby
Post Number: 1428
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 2:51 pm: |
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Actually I think what Giuliani said in the Bklyn Museum brouhaha was more along the lines of, "Yeah, you have a right to say or paint whatever you want...that doesn't mean the government has to fund material that is so offensive to Catholics."
I heard an interesting commentary on the radio this morning that posited that Kerik was intentionally sacrificed by the republican party to discredit Giuliani and ensure that he won't pose a substantial threat to Jeb in '08. |
Robert Livingston
Citizen
Username: Rob_livingston
Post Number: 603
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 2:56 pm: |
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Debby: That would certainly explain what appeared to be a dismal vetting process by the White House. If so, Bush is about as ruthless to his friends as he is his enemies... |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 4784
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 2:59 pm: |
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Southerner, did anyone ever say you make too much sense?
Although you made a very interesting typo: you said idylistic, where I'm sure you meant idealistic.
But you're right that Democrats are inept at picking winning candidates.
Debby, I think your paraphrase is better than mine, but he was still wrong to think he could pull funding in response to art. It's not art if it has to pass a test by the government. This is a horrific misunderstanding of freedom of speech. |
Robert Livingston
Citizen
Username: Rob_livingston
Post Number: 604
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 3:02 pm: |
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Tom: the irony of the whole Brooklyn Museum affair was that Giuliani's stink actually created huge publicity for the exhibit and probably more than doubled the attendance. |
themp
Citizen
Username: Themp
Post Number: 1298
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 3:03 pm: |
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"Wait till they find out that he left NYC in a financial MESS! " - But Bush left Texas in a...oh, never mind. It just isn't worth it...
"But you're right that Democrats are inept at picking winning candidates." - how so? We won the popular vote in 3 of the last 4 elections. Can't win em all. Wait until next time. |
chocoholic
Citizen
Username: Shrink
Post Number: 239
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 4:34 pm: |
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I, as well as many other folks on this board who have paid penance by living in NYC at one time in their lives, remember quite clearly the day when Giuliano marched in the Gay pride parade, dressed as woman. Lovely shots of this were prominently pdiplayed in a few of the tabloids. All in great fun, of course-but wait till the Republican primaries when his opponents get ahold of those pictures and present them to the good, value loving folks in the heartland and South. This ,combined with his very public shaming of his ex-wife, Donna Hanover, virtually ensures that he will not be President of the United States. Now Govenor of NY, or better yet, a run against Hillary as a Senate candidate-now you're talking. |
chocoholic
Citizen
Username: Shrink
Post Number: 240
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 4:43 pm: |
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I, along with some others on this board who have paid penance by living in NYC for some period in their lives, remember quite clearly the day that then Mayor Giuliani marched in the Gay Pride parade in drag. Complete with long wig, bright red lipstick, dress, heels and powdered face. His pictures were prominently displayed in a number of the local tabloids. Now, we all realize that this was all in good fun. I fear, however, that the joke will fall flat when his opponents in the Republican primaries get ahold of those pictures and present them to the value loving folks in the heartland and South. This, combined with his very public shaming of his ex-wife Donna Hanover, who will doubtless be presented as some type of hapless waif, virtually dooms his chances of ever becoming a Republican presidential nominee.
Now, I can see Rudy running for Govenor of NY or even giving Hillary a run for her money in the upcoming NY Senate campaign. But the Republican nominee for President! Puhleeze! |
chocoholic
Citizen
Username: Shrink
Post Number: 241
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 4:45 pm: |
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Sorry, I didn't mean to post twice, uh, now three times. |
jjkatz
Citizen
Username: Jjkatz
Post Number: 451
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 4:57 pm: |
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Sugar rush from all that chocolate?
 |
Southerner
Citizen
Username: Southerner
Post Number: 27
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 6:11 pm: |
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Tom, I knew I got that wrong but was to lazy to look it up.
Themp, under the current system the popular vote doesn't win the White House. It's the electoral college. I've said this before on this board, but as a general supporter of the Republican party (meaning I'm not registered to any party) I could care less if any Republican candidate wins the popular vote. As long as they win the electoral college I'll be happy. Now if Congress ever changes the procedure then of course I hope my guys make the proper adjustments.
If Bush would have won the popular vote (he did) but lost the electoral college then I would have been upset but I understand the game and would have moved on under Kerry. |
Straw's world
Citizen
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 4148
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 6:14 pm: |
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"I heard an interesting commentary on the radio this morning that posited that Kerik was intentionally sacrificed by the republican party to discredit Giuliani and ensure that he won't pose a substantial threat to Jeb in '08."
This is just dumb. |
Debby
Citizen
Username: Debby
Post Number: 1429
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 7:33 pm: |
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One schmuck's opinion. |
Robert Livingston
Citizen
Username: Rob_livingston
Post Number: 608
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, December 17, 2004 - 11:28 am: |
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As mentioned in the Kerik thread, it seems Bush and Co. just assumed his past had been previously vetted.
That would hold up to Bush's standard of imcompetence and makes far more sense than Bush actually thinking ahead and pulling a sinister political move. I guess no one should underestimate the utter incompetence of this president again...
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Chris Prenovost
Citizen
Username: Chris_prenovost
Post Number: 156
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 17, 2004 - 11:56 am: |
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Do not underestimate Bush. The democrats have been doing for years, and look where it got them.
He is not highly intelligent, but he is very clever and has excellent political instincts. He has also surrounded himself with top notch media experts who have participated in getting him the Presidency twice.
His administration is the most incompetent since Carter. But facts do not seem to matter, only image. And he and his political minions have successfully projected an image of serenity and surety that has blinded most of the country. |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 511
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Friday, December 17, 2004 - 12:02 pm: |
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Chris,
quote:His administration is the most incompetent since Carter. But facts do not seem to matter, only image. And he and his political minions have successfully projected an image of serenity and surety that has blinded most of the country.
What I personally find most disturbing is that even Conservatives that agree with what you're saying above don't seem to be bothered by this.
There was a time when competence was something desirable in a President. Now it's all glitz and hype. Clinton was similar (though much less incompetent). |
Chris Prenovost
Citizen
Username: Chris_prenovost
Post Number: 158
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 17, 2004 - 12:23 pm: |
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Right on, Rastro.
I talk to a lot of my fellow Republicans about this. Most merely gloss over his failures, or swallow the party line about success in Iraq, deficits don't matter, the economy is doing fine, and everything will work out great because Bush talks to Jesus on a regular basis.
Personally, I find it frightening. This man is mortgaging my children's future with all this debt. I am glad I have a well-funded 401-K plan because most people will get a very nasty surprise when they line up for social security. And in our war on terror, we seem to have invaded the wrong country.
But it's all O.K. because Bush talks to God. |
Robert Livingston
Citizen
Username: Rob_livingston
Post Number: 609
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, December 17, 2004 - 12:38 pm: |
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Chris: It is very refreshing to hear a Republican speak like you're post above about Bush. How novel that a Republican on this board doesn't truly believe Bush is the second coming, and treat him as some kind deity who can do no wrong. |
cjc
Citizen
Username: Cjc
Post Number: 2919
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 18, 2004 - 5:26 pm: |
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All your republican friends think it's all OK because Bush talks to God, Chris?
I don't believe you.
Maybe RL is having a conversation with himself under two names on this board. If not, your comments are as over the top as RL's are and I don't think....
Well, then again you may be one of those "moderate republicans" that live around here. |
themp
Citizen
Username: Themp
Post Number: 1307
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 9:31 am: |
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Giuliani said repeatedly that Kerik's role in the firm is very limited, representing "less than 5 percent" of its business. He also said that Kerik's position was largely limited to their joint venture, Giuliani-Kerik. "He's not part of Giuliani Partners," the former mayor said. But at the firm's Web site, Kerik is described as a "Senior Vice President at Giuliani Partners." Giuliani later explained the discrepancy by saying: "Senior vice president of the group is what Bernie was when we started. I think that remains his title, but that's not the way we primarily relate to him. As you know, he does some work for a few of our clients." He added: "We should probably straighten it out and point out where his ownership interest is and primary work is done." |
Chris Prenovost
Citizen
Username: Chris_prenovost
Post Number: 164
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 12:09 pm: |
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CJC:
I assure you that Robert Livingston and I are two seperate people. If this were not the case, my property tax bill would be much lower.
As for the talking to God part, perhaps I was a bit too literal. But my point stands, when I try to argue facts with my fellow Republicans, they concede my points without reaching my conclusion.
And I would hesitate to describe myself as a moderate Republican. More like an old-fashioned republican. I believe in:
-Balanced budgets or surpluses with a view to reducing or eliminating the National Debt (so we can pay for social security).
-Small government. The government that governs best is that which governs least.
-Personal freedom, as in the rights of the individual against those of the state.
-Honesty and transparency in government.
So you see, I have a few issues with the current occupant of the White House. |
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