Kerik Weighing Plea Bargain for Three Years in Prison

Former NYPD commissioner Bernard Kerik faces a lengthy prison sentence and almost $5 million in fines if convicted on all 16 counts of fraud, conspiracy, and corruption. But sources tell the Daily News he's been offered a plea deal that would get him out of jail in under three years. Kerik is facing three federal trials; the first, set to begin on November 9th, accuses Kerik of letting a mob-controlled contracting firm renovate his apartment for free, while telling city investigators that that same firm had no criminal ties.

Under the proposed deal, the three cases would be consolidated and Kerik would face a possible sentence of 27 to 33 months. Kerik has yet to formally accept the deal. He's currently in jail for leaking sealed information in hopes of generating sympathy before his trial. Yesterday Kerik was discharged from a unit which treats cases of mental illness; late last month he voluntarily checked into the Westchester County Jail's psych unit because he was "depressed" and in a "funk." Being behind bars will do that to ya! The psychiatric director at the unit ultimately decided Kerik is not a threat to himself or others.