Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y.(Photo: Jacquelyn Martin, AP)
WASHINGTON — Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., surrendered Monday to federal authorities in New York to face criminal charges.
Grimm, 44, was taken into custody after turning himself in to FBI agents in Manhattan. Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch scheduled a news conference at 11 a.m. ET to formally announce the charges against the former FBI agent. His lawyer, William McGinley, said Friday that the U.S. attorney "disclosed its intent to file criminal charges" against the lawmaker.
Grimm has acknowledged that he received $250,000 to $300,000 in campaign donations from followers of Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto, an Israeli rabbi. Some of Pinto's followers in New York have said they made tens of thousands of dollars in illegal campaign contributions to Grimm, including gifts passed through straw donors.
Ofer Biton, the businessman who served as Grimm's liaison to Pinto's congregation, pleaded guilty in August to an immigration fraud charge. Diana Durand, a woman had been romantically involved with the congressman, was charged Friday of using straw donors to make illegal campaign contributions and for making false statements to the FBI. Durand's lawyer said she would plead not guilty.
McGinley said Friday the government has pursued "a politically driven vendetta" against Grimm, who has said he has done nothing wrong. "When the dust settles, he will be vindicated," McGinley said in his statement.
Grimm made national headlines in January when he threatened a TV reporter on camera who attempted to ask him about the long-running federal investigation. Grimm later apologized to NY1 reporter Michael Scotto.
Grimm represents a swing district based on Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. President Obama won New York's 11th Congressional District in 2012 with 52% of the vote.
Contributing: Associated Press
New York Republican Congressman Michael Grimm threatened to throw a reporter from NY1 over a balcony in the US Capitol, after the State of the Union address. The reporter had asked Grimm about campaign finance allegations. (Jan. 29) AP
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