After facing almost two years of scrutiny, New York's sole Republican representative Michael Grimm is about to face criminal charges over his campaign finances, according to sources familiar with the case.
A former Marine and FBI agent, Grimm has served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Last month, he helped push a bipartisan flood insurance reform bill through the House. (Via C-SPAN)
But he's probably better known for this:
GRIMM: "Let me be clear to you. You ever do that again, I'll throw you off this f---ing balcony."
That was Congressman Grimm there, famously threating a NY1 reporter on the night of President Obama's State of the Union address last year. Appropriately enough, the reporter had just tried to ask Grimm a question about his campaign finances.
Grimm's been facing a Justice Department probe for two years over contributions to his 2010 election campaign, and he has also been targeted by the House Campaign Finance Committee. The New York Times reports two prominent contributors to Grimm's campaign have already been charged for illegally funneling money into Grimm's campaign.
The charges are expected to worsen an already difficult primary for Grimm. His Staten Island swing district went for Obama in 2012, and a criminal case could give his Democratic rival Domenic Recchia the edge in November. Politico writes Grimm "would have to consider whether he could keep up a strong enough fundraising pace to both campaign and defend himself."
Grimm's lawyer released a combative statement Friday denouncing the charges as politically motivated.
"We are disappointed by the government's decision, but hardly surprised. From the beginning, the government has pursued a politically driven vendetta against Congressman Grimm and not an independent search for the truth." (Via Fox Business)
The formal charges against Grimm are expected to be unsealed in a few days.
