A federal appeals court has rejected former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik's request to be let out of jail while he awaits his corruption trial.
The ruling came after arguments Wednesday before a three-judge panel. Kerik's lawyers asked the court to overturn an order revoking his bail. Judge Reena Raggi said the court would have to see a clear legal error to free Kerik.
His trial is scheduled to begin on Nov. 9. He is accused of accepting renovations to his co-op in exchange for recommending a company that sought business with New York City. He has pleaded not guilty.
Kerik landed in jail after a lower court judge, Stephen Robinson in White Plains, said the former top cop had wrongly shared secret pretrial information with a supporter -- an attempt to taint the jury pool, the judge said.
Kerik became the first former police commissioner to end up in jail, He refused to ask to be isolated from the general prison population, but given his history in law enforcement, jail officials separated him anyway.
Kerik, a one-time national Sept. 11 hero and nominee for Homeland Security, now lives in a single-bed cell, which visitors described as not much more than a putrid-smelling closet with an open toilet, according to the Daily News.
