New York Congressman Michael Grimm has announced that he will resign his seat after pleading guilty to a tax evasion charge last week
The Staten Island Republican had earlier vowed to stay in Congress as long as he could after being indicted on multiple federal counts involving mail and wire fraud, tax evasion, employing undocumented workers and perjury. The charges stemmed from business activities involving his Manhattan heath food restaurant called Healthalicious.
But Grimm – who was reelected to his seal in November - explained in a statement this week that he had decided that given his legal woes, the best course of action was to step down before the start of the 2015 session.
“The events which led to this day did not break my spirit, nor the will of the voters,” Grimm said in the statement. “However, I do not believe that I can continue to be 100 percent effective in the next Congress, and therefore, out of respect for the office and the people I so proudly represent, it is time for me to start the next chapter of my life.”
Grimm reportedly held talks with Republican House Speaker John A. Boehner before making the decision to resign. Last week Grimm pleaded guilty to one count of aiding in the filing of a false tax return and is expected to serve at least a few months of jail time.
Comments