Bernard Bailey "Bernie" Kerik (born September 4, 1955) is an American (United States) former law enforcement officer, federal inmate and a convicted felon. Kerik was New York City Police Commissioner from 2000 to 2001, under Mayor (Mayor of New York City) Rudy Giuliani. In December 2004, President (President of the United States) George W. Bush nominated Kerik as Secretary of Homeland Security (United States Secretary of Homeland Security). A week later, Kerik withdrew his nomination, explaining that he had employed an illegal immigrant (Illegal immigration) as a nanny; subsequently, numerous allegations surfaced which would likely have led to a confirmation (Advice and consent) battle in the Senate (United States Senate). In 2006, Kerik pleaded guilty to two unrelated ethics violations after an investigation by the Office of the Bronx District Attorney, and was ordered to pay $221,000.

A grand jury of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a 16-count indictment against Kerik on November 8, 2007, alleging conspiracy (Conspiracy (crime)), mail fraud, wire fraud and lying to the Internal Revenue Service. Kerik surrendered to authorities the next day and pled not guilty to all charges. On October 20, 2009, his bail was revoked and he was jailed pending trial. On November 5, he pleaded guilty to 8 charges in a plea bargain with prosecutors who recommended a jail sentence of 27 to 33 months. Kerik was sentenced to four years in federal prison on February 18, 2010.