http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1941878/posts?page=7#7
Excerpt:
The story became a Media circus, offering up to the tabloids of New York a new target in which to sell newspapers. Particularly, the fall of Bernard Kerik helped the Daily News on two fronts; it allowed the paper to run stories on a ‘bad cop,’ as it had made a reputation in so doing for more than a decade, and the story also allowed its’ political agenda to be pushed forward. Commissioner Kerik was perceived in the national consciousness as a personality closely associated with Rudy Giuliani, "America’s Mayor," perceived to be running for President. Also perceived to be a candidate was Hillary Clinton, whom the Daily News in it’s reporting and Editorial content was clearly supporting.
Thus, the Daily News began a relentless smear campaign against Kerik, reporting in minute detail every aspect of the former Commissioner’s professional and personal life. Lawrence Ray was the News’ willing source, having kept every financial record and e-mail and other correspondence between himself and Kerik. The New York Post would reveal that the FBI had been investigating Kerik for years. The Bronx District Attorney’s office then launched an investigation regarding renovations made to an apartment Kerik had purchased for himself and his new bride.
Many New Yorkers saw through the obvious political nature of the campaign to discredit Kerik, although some fell for it, convinced Kerik was some sort of dangerous criminal with "Mob connections." In the end, Kerik was charged with two misdemeanors for failure to report a loan during his tenure as Commissioner of the New York City Corrections Department, and the improper acceptance of contract work on his Bronx apartment. What Kerik admitted to was wrong, unethical, and improper given his position as a public servant, but his actions were not felonious.
The story, however, was far from over. In February, 2006, the New York Post revealed that former NYPD Detective turned investigative reporter John Connolly had received a letter from Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson advising him that a Judge had, in the previous year, authorized a wiretap on Kerik’s cell phone as part of the ongoing investigation into the renovations of Kerik’s apartment. Connolly was advised that conversations between himself and Kerik had been intercepted but that he was not the subject of a criminal investigation. Connolly is best known for his work exposing the Mafia ties of actor Steven Seagal, as well as the alleged crimes of "Private Eye to the Stars" Anthony Pellicano. Connolly is sometimes confused with a former FBI agent of the same name currently facing Mafia murder charges in Florida.
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1785085/posts?page=4#4
Anthony Pellicano and His Tangled Web
By Rachel Abramowitz And Robert Welkos, Times Staff Writers
February 26, 2006
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According to the indictment, Pellicano had allegedly been wiretapping Russo and running the names of other family members through police databases around the same time. Pellicano also allegedly ran an unauthorized background check on Sender that same year.
In 1998 and 2000, Fields represented Grey in two nasty suits. At the time, Grey was a powerful talent manager whose firm, Brillstein-Grey, represented Brad Pitt, "Sopranos" creator David Chase and former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani among others.
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