My Life and Times

December 22, 2004
Kerik Resigns From Giuliani Consulting FirmBy WILLIAM K. RASHBAUM

Less than two weeks after abruptly pulling his name from consideration as President Bush's homeland security secretary, Bernard B. Kerik announced today he is resigning from the consulting firm of his mentor, former mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani.
In a hastily called news conference, Mr. Kerik, the former New York City police commissioner, said he had apologized to Mr. Giuliani and to Mr. Bush for "the difficulty that the recent events have caused all of them." He said his resignation from Giuliani Partners, a security consulting firm, would be effective immediately.
"After careful consideration, I've decided that it's in the best interest of my family, my colleagues, our clients" to resign from the security firm, he said, standing alone.
Mr. Kerik, who cited questions related to the immigration status of a former household employee when he withdrew as a nominee on Dec. 10, has come under scrutiny lately for other business dealings and personal missteps.
Mr. Kerik said he would spend his time pursuing other business opportunities and possibly writing another book. He also said he would use the time to "focus on family, business dealings, things that have to be focused on at this point, and to clear my good name."
"The events surrounding my withdrawal have become an unfair and unnecessary distraction to the firm , and most importantly to the work they do at the firm," he said. "I'm confident that I will be vindicated from any allegations of wrongdoing."
Last week, Mr. Giuliani told the Times in an interview that he had no plans to remove Mr. Kerik, and that his clients had assured him they still thought his services were valuable.
"The Bernie Kerik situation is a situation that really related to a group of questions that he has to answer, but do not affect our business," Mr. Giuliani said last week. He added that if clients had concerns about Mr. Kerik, "that is something I would talk to them about confidentially and then assess."
In a statement, Mr. Giuliani said Giuliani-Kerik LLC, an affiliate of Giuliani Partners, would be renamed Giuliani Security & Safety. Mr. Kerik had been chief executive officer of Giuliani-Kerik.
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