US Rep. Grimm resigns seat after tax evasion plea
U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm of Staten Island, New York, has officially resigned his congressional seat in the wake of pleading guilty to federal tax evasion charges.
The New York Daily News reported Monday that Grimm, a Republican who had served in Congress since 2011, formally resigned his seat in a letter to Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner. After initially vowing to fight a myriad of federal charges against him, including mail and wire fraud, tax evasion and perjury, Grimm pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion on Dec. 23—more than one month after comfortably winning re-election, the New York Daily News reported at the time. Grimm had been planning on remaining in office even after his guilty plea, but changed his mind after speaking with Boehner.
“I would like to thank all of my constituents on Staten Island and Brooklyn from the bottom of my heart for the overwhelming love and support over the past four years,” Grimm wrote on his Facebook page. “Thank you and God bless you all. It has been an honor and a privilege serving as your congressman.”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to call a special election to fill Grimm’s seat. According to the Daily News, the favorite to replace Grimm is Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan, a Republican. Donovan brings considerable baggage to the race himself—it was his office that failed to secure an indictment against the NYPD officer that killed Eric Garner. The Daily News reports that Democrats have yet to find a top-tier candidate and could turn their attention to Mike McMahon, Grimm’s predecessor who held the seat for two years before being defeated by Grimm in 2010.
