Ex-NYPD Chief Bernie Kerik out of prison and in home confinement in Jersey

Ex-NYPD Commissioner Bernie Kerik, a former nominee for homeland security chief, started home confinement Tuesday , after being released from a Maryland federal prison.

Kerik, 57, was welcomed back at his palatial Franklin Lakes, N.J. home Tuesday afternoon to a party for about 20 guests, and enjoyed eats catered from The Brownstone, a banquet hall owned by Kerik's friends Caroline and Albert Manzo and made famous on the Bravo series, "Real Housewives of New Jersey," according to NBC News.

Chris Burke, a spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, confirmed that Kerik left federal lockup Tuesday morning, but could not confirm details about his destination because Kerik "is in transition to the last part of his [48-month] sentence."

Burke was unable to say whether Kerik would be required to wear an ankle bracelet, but said Kerik would be allowed to leave his gracious home for religious observances, medical appointments and "work," should he find some. The ex-con would "continue to be monitored by contract staff or the probation department" until the completion of his sentence on Oct. 15, at which time he is scheduled to segue onto probation.

Kerik, who was touted to former President George W. Bush as a candidate for Homeland Security Chief by ex-Mayor Rudy Giuliani, was sentenced to serve 48 months in 2010 for numerous felonies, including tax fraud, lying to the White House on documents vetting his fitness to serve in the Cabinet, and on loan applications.