Judge removes lawyer for ex-Giuliani aide Kerik

By Edith Honan

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. federal judge on Thursday removed the lawyer for Bernard Kerik, a former New York police commissioner and protege of Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani who faces federal corruption charges.

The ruling stands to postpone the start of Kerik's trial, which could help Guiliani if the potentially negative publicity of a trial is delayed past the upcoming nominating contests. Kerik has 30 days to find a new attorney.

The next pre-trial hearing is scheduled for February 6, the day after "Super Tuesday" when more than 20 states will hold primary elections or caucuses. No trial date has been set.

"Mr. Kerik is disappointed with the decision and is currently reviewing all of his options," the lawyer, Kenneth Breen, told reporters.

Breen would not comment on how long the development might delay Kerik's trial.

In a 16-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Stephen Robinson wrote there was an "actual conflict of interest" in Breen's representation of Kerik because Breen could be called as a witness.

Prosecutors allege Kerik used two of his lawyers, including Breen, to convey false statements to prosecutors about the sources of money that paid for renovations of his home, a matter under investigation.

Kerik later pleaded guilty to state charges of accepting $165,000 in apartment renovations from a construction company that was attempting to land city contracts and which authorities were investigating for links to organized crime.