CBS News | November 5, 2009

NEW YORK (CBS) - Former New York City police Commissioner Bernard Kerik has pleaded guilty to lying to the White House and says he'll also admit tax crimes.

Kerik made his first of an expected eight pleas on Thursday.

The plea bargain includes the prosecution's suggestion that the crimes are punishable by 27 to 33 months in prison.

Thursday's pleads were designed to resolve three pending federal criminal trials.

Kerik nearly became the U.S. Homeland Security chief in 2004. The lies to the White House occurred during the Homeland Security vetting process.

As commissioner, Kerik won praise nationwide for his steadiness after 9/11.

The first of his trials had been scheduled to start Monday in White Plains, N.Y.

Kerik, a protege of Rudy Giuliani, was New York City Police Commissioner from 2000 to 2001.