Representative Michael Grimm, the Staten Island congressman best known nationally for threatening to throw a reporter off a congressional balcony last January, has agreed to plead guilty to a felony tax-evasion charge tomorrow in New York City.
Grimm, a Republican, was facing a 20-count federal indictment that alleged he concealed income from a Manhattan restaurant he co-owned and hired illegal immigrants. He had entered a plea of not guilty and said he was looking forward to being vindicated during his trial in February. His constituents stuck with him and by a surprisingly large 55 percent to 42 percent margin reelected him last month. As a former FBI agent, he was able to convince many people he was the victim of selective political prosecution. That claim now appears to be “inoperable” to borrow a phrase from the Nixon Watergate scandal.
But Grimm apparently won’t be enjoying his new term in office for long after he’s sworn in next month. During a debate on October 17, Grimm was asked if he would resign if found guilty.
“Certainly, if I was not able to serve then of course I would step aside and there would be a special election,” he replied.
Because he is a first-time offender, Grimm may well be able to avoid jail time if the sentencing judge decides to be lenient. But it is unlikely that lenience will be employed if Grimm insists on staying in Congress.
Should he try to remain in office, the House Ethics Committee can be expected to conduct its own investigation, the result of which could be a recommendation of censure or expulsion. It appears as if Grimm’s future is indeed grim.