Disgraced US Congressman Michael Grimm Headed to Prison for Fraud

Former New York Congressman Michael G. Grimm was handed an eight-month prison sentence on Friday after pleading guilty to felony tax fraud.

Grimm, who once notoriously threatened to toss a reporter off a balcony, was initially under investigation relating to his campaign fundraising — but soon found himself under a 20-count indictment relating to a restaurant he owned in Manhattan.

Prosecutors allege that he underreported wages and revenue to file false tax documents, and were seeking a sentence of 24 to 30 months in prison.

The defense argued he should not face prison time, as Grimm is a former Marine and FBI agent. He was also elected to Congress in 2010, but resigned after entering his guilty plea regarding this case.  His lawyer, Daniel Rashbaum, argued that his client was a veteran and a public servant, and “that cannot be ignored.”

“He wants the court to accept that he is remorseful, but still, even today, he is trying to shift the blame for his conduct to others,” assistant United States Attorney James D. Gatta stated. “He wraps himself in the oaths that he has sworn when it suits him, and turns his back on those oaths when it suits him.”

Defense for Grimm also pulled up 200 cases where defendants pleaded guilty to the same crime and were sentenced to probation, but Judge Chen stated that the crime was “sustained fraud,” and that federal sentencing guidelines suggested 18-24 months.

“That this type of crime is common does not lessen its significance,” the judge stated. “Your moral compass, Mr. Grimm, needs some reorientation.”

The defense also argued that Grimm had already faced punishment in the form of public humiliation, having to leave Congress which forfeited his pension, and is facing being disbarred.

Grimm is scheduled to turn himself in to serve his sentence on September 10.  Following his release, he will be obligated to serve 200 hours of community service.