Suit Against Kerik Associates Alleges Fraud

A security firm that once bore the name of Mayor Giuliani's police commissioner, Bernard Kerik, is being accused of trying to avoid hundreds of thousands of dollars in insurance costs. The civil complaint accuses Mr. Kerik's former principal partner of fraudulently shifting assets to avoid debt.

Atlantic Mutual Insurance Co. and the Centennial Insurance Co. filed the complaint against Ronald Bellistri and his company Corbett Properties, as well as several other firms, in State Supreme Court.

Mr. Kerik last year pleaded guilty to misdemeanors for failing to disclose a loan and taking $165,000 in free renovations from a company with alleged ties to organized crime.

Neither Mr. Bellistri nor any of the defendant companies could be reached for comment.