It’s otherwise a beautiful day in Denver, Colorado. Bright and sunny with a gorgeous mountain view. I site to wake up waiting for my six year old daughter who’s a little grumpy this morning because daddy (me) let her stay up a little too late. She insisted upon doing homework a little late into the night trying as usual to finish her week’s homework a day early.

Given a few extra minutes I made the mistake of tuning on the news. This morning tuned to CNN rather than Fox which would be more normal. A friend of mine today is in the news, and unfortunately not in a flattering or positive way.

The first news story up is about my friend, newsflash from New York. What a way to ruin an otherwise beautiful day.I awoke to:

“Former Giuliani protege surrenders to feds”

Excerpts from the Story from CNN:
(CNN) — Former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik turned himself in Friday morning to face arraignment on federal corruption charges, the FBI said. Bernard Kerik’s indictment comes a year after he admitted to misdemeanor charges of financial impropriety.

Kerik, 52, is a longtime friend and former protege of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the Republican presidential front-runner in national polls.

Kerik was frequently by Giuliani’s side in the days after the September 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center, and his role as the city’s police commissioner propelled him into the national spotlight. Watch what Giuliani says about Kerik’s legal troubles »

President Bush nominated Kerik to be secretary of homeland security after the president’s 2004 re-election. But Kerik withdrew his name from consideration after allegations that he employed a nanny whose immigration status was questionable.

Just to be clear and on the Record. Bernie’s a friend of mine. He has been one for about 5 years. Jeff Smith and I met Bernie at the Battle of Atlanta. Joe Corley had picked up his book and had the temerity to pick up the phone and invite Bernie to the Battle of Atlanta. We met post 9/11 and when he had already become a partner with Guiliani-Partners having left his post as Police Commissioner. I last communicated with him last night:

Bernie,

Been catching the news RE the legal issues.

Just want to make sure you know that MANY of your friends (myself included obviously) are standing with you and standing behind you. Keep your chin up and anything I can do just ask.

Martial Arts Professional Magazine maybe getting permission to reprint the Kerik won’t fold piece or perhaps we could do an interview that we can send to members and print in the magazine to get your side of the story told might be valuable from at least a the standpoint of the Martial Arts Industry. If you’re up for that let me know or if
there’s any other way I can be of service in these troubling times.

Stephen Oliver.

His response:

Thanks Steve… to fight this and fight it right, I’m going to need all the help I can get. If there’s anyone looking to support us, please refer them to: www.keriklegaltrust.com

Keep in touch.

BK
___________________________
BERNARD B. KERIK
Police Commissioner
City of New York (Retired)

The Kerik Group LLC
275 Madison Avenue
35th Floor
New York, New York 10016
www.kerikinternational.com
www.myspace.com/bernardkerik

And, just to set the record straight. Bernie Kerik is a martial artist – 5th Degree Black Belt from myself and Jeff Smith with Mile High Karate. He began training in Martial Arts in 1969 – same year I started – and has been a martial artist ever since.

He was on our Board of Directors until we agreed in 2006 not to move forward with a relationship with Mile High Karate and mutually agreed to remove him from our Board of Directors. That was right after the initial Bronx legal issues.

We remain friends.

I did not know Bernie while in public service but have spent time with him at Guiliani-Kerik’s offices, at his new offices, have shared dinners at his home and was honored to host him at our Black Belt retreat. One memorable day in New York Bernie took Jeff, Joe, and I to a Yankee’s game. To say we got the VIP treatment would be an understatement. Personally greeted by the manager’s wife and escorted by the chief of security to seats that were front row behind home plate (I was afraid I might accidentally unplug the radar gun with my foot.)

I have no personal knowledge of the situation alleged other than conversations with Bernie’s attorney Paul D’Emilia and with Bernie and will draw no conclusions regarding what will happen at a trial if there is one. I do know from personal experience that his contributions to New York’s Prison Systems, Police Department, and to IRAQ and the cause of our national security has been incredible. Additionally, he has fought for the cause of martial arts instruction and sought out every avenue to help me in developing a truly international organization without financial gain purely from his love of martial arts and a desire to strengthen the youth of our country.

To Share Rudy Guiliani’s words about this situation:

NEW YORK, NY November 07, 2007 —In defense of Bernard Kerik, presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani says the successes of the former police commissioner outweigh any of his mistakes. Giuliani says Kerik’s successes at reducing crime and decreasing violence in the city’s prisons should outweigh his indiscretions. At Giuliani’s urging, President Bush nominated Kerik as Homeland Security Chief in 2004.

At his request I share with you information about the Kerik Defense Trust:

THE BERNARD KERIK LEGAL DEFENSE TRUST
The Bernard Kerik Legal Defense Trust has been established to allow Mr. Kerik’s friends and supporters to assist him in defending himself against possible charges that may be brought against him by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York.
In June 2006, Mr. Kerik settled an investigation by the Bronx District Attorney’s Office. He accepted responsibility by pleading guilty to two New York City ethics violations (unclassified misdemeanors) and paid a substantial financial penalty. Shortly after he settled the Bronx case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office began a new investigation. The Assistant U.S. Attorneys assigned to the investigation are now considering charges against Mr. Kerik, based in large part on conduct that was already addressed and resolved in the Bronx case. As a result of these two investigations and news and media reports, Mr. Kerik has been the focus of more than two years of intense publicity that has negatively impacted his business and personal life.

Throughout his career, he has earned more 100 awards for meritorious, heroic and distinguished service, including commendations from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, President Ronald Reagan for heroism, and many others. He earned international recognition for turning the New York City Jail System into an international role model and as the New York City Police Commissioner; his tenure was marked with historic reductions in crime and innovative management. The world witnessed his stoic leadership during and after the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11 and today, he is an outspoken voice against global terror and enemies against the United States. Now, his 33-year career of putting his life on the line for New York City and this country is overshadowed by this investigation and allegations that must be put to rest.

Having incurred legal fees in the course of the Bronx and federal investigation and paid a substantial financial penalty when he settled the Bronx case, and having had his business impacted by the intense publicity, he is not in a position to fund a proper defense to this federal case. Therefore, we have established the Trust, so that his friends and supporters may contribute funds to assist in his legal defense to prove his innocence and allow him and his family to move on with their lives.

To support the fund by contributing on line, please click here: http://www.keriklegaltrust.com/howtodonate.html

The Trust may accept unlimited personal contributions. If you would like to contribute by check, please make checks payable to The Bernard Kerik Legal Defense Trust and mail them to:

Mr. Paul D’Emilia
The Bernard Kerik Legal Defense Trust
119 West 72nd Street
Suite 204
New York, New York 10023

Thank you on behalf of Mr. Kerik and his family for your help and support

Paul D’Emilia, Esq.
Trustee Email: pdemilia@keriklegaltrust.com
To learn more about Bernard B. Kerik and see just some of his honors, accomplishments and tributes, please click here: http://www.keriklegaltrust.com/heroism.html

Now. I’m sure we’ll get letters. Many will forget Bernie’s hero status. Others will accuse me of being a “knee jerk” conservative supporting the cause. Share them or not, I don’t care. I’m certainly not endorsing any inappropriate behavior by public figures, public servants, or private citizens. If Bernie behaved inappropriate many years ago, then I’m sure he’s going to pay a reasonable (perhaps even unreasonable) price for that behavior. I do know it’s easy for the media to hype real or imagined bad behavior. I do know that we all suffer many friends who swarm us in good times and abandon us in bad times.

In my own life I’ve suffered through going from “martial arts hero-entrepreneur” status – early 1980’s to bankrupt and divorced (1989) and then back again. That process taught me MANY valuable lessons. One of which has certainly stuck with me and has informed my personal behavior with many people. That lesson? Be wary of those who seek you out when everything is going your way. True friends will be with you throughout your successes and failures. Never mistake those looking for something from you – including your employees and students – for your true friends. Many of those who abandoned me when I looked like a sinking ship foolishly returned when I climbed back to the top. Fortunately I was wise enough to recognize the naked self-interest.

To learn more about Kerik go to: www.NAPMA.com/kerik