Bush officials blame Kerik for not disclosing problems
By Seattle Times news services
WASHINGTON — White House officials yesterday blamed Bernard Kerik for repeatedly failing to disclose potential legal problems to administration lawyers vetting his nomination to be homeland-security secretary.
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Kerik, who withdrew his name Friday and apologized yesterday for embarrassing Bush, was asked numerous times by White House lawyers if he had employed an illegal immigrant or failed to pay taxes on domestic help, sources told The Washington Post.
Kerik responded with firm denials. After digging deeper, however, Kerik said he discovered last week he might have a problem on both accounts, and withdrew.
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Kerik's housekeeper situation was only the latest blemish to be revealed about the nominee. A series of critical news reports about questionable actions had begun to surface about Kerik, threatening to turn his Senate confirmation into a lengthy embarrassment for the administration.
The reports had looked at Kerik's use of city personnel while in office, potential conflicts between his business life and the role of the Homeland Security Department, and events growing out of his personal financial difficulties several years ago.
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