White House blames Kerik for not disclosing legal problems News
White House blames Kerik for not disclosing legal problems

[JURIST] White House officials Saturday blamed former homeland security secretary nominee Bernard Kerik for failing to disclose potential legal problems to administration lawyers. Kerik withdrew his name from consideration late Friday after it was discovered that he had failed to pay taxes on an illegal immigrant he employed in his home. In addition, he reportedly failed to disclose that a New Jersey judge issued a warrant for his arrest in 1998 over a civil dispute related to unpaid bills. A senior White House official stated, "It was Kerik's screw-up, it was that simple. But it's a mistake you can't tolerate with someone who has oversight for immigration." The Seattle Times has more.