Grand Old Police Blotter: It's Kerik Time Edition

Rudy Giuliani's right-hand bagman is about to get 9-11 years in the federal pen, if there's any justice:

Federal prosecutors will ask a grand jury today to indict Bernard B. Kerik, the former New York police commissioner, on charges that include tax fraud, corruption and conspiracy counts, according to people who have been briefed on the case.

The grand jury, convening in Westchester County, has heard evidence about Mr. Kerik for about a year as part of a broad federal inquiry into a variety of issues, including his acceptance of $165,000 in renovations from a contractor who was seeking a city license.

Prosecutors are also seeking to charge Mr. Kerik, 52, with failing to report as income more than $200,000 in rent that they say was paid on his behalf to use a luxury Upper East Side apartment where he lived with his family around the time he left his city post, the people briefed on the case said.

Kerik previously served the Bush Administration by training Iraqi police in the finer points of accepting bribes, disposing of bodies and running away.

But how hard can prison be, compared to sleeping with Judith Regan? If you cut a deal now, Bern, maybe you can bunk with George Ryan and Connie Black.