GOP Congressman Michael Grimm to be indicted for campaign finance violations

Congressman Michael Grimm

Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Brooklyn and his lawyer is in plea talks with prosecutors, according to people familiar with the case. The indictment is expected to be unsealed in the coming days.

Grimm's attorney, William McGinley declined to comment other than a written statement: "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. Congressman Grimm asserts his innocence of any wrongdoing."

McGinley says Grimm plans to continue serving in Congress.

Questions about Grimm's campaign finance activities began almost as soon as he arrived in Washington. The House Ethics Committee launched a formal inquiry into Grimm's campaign finance activities in 2012, but announced at the time that it would defer to the Justice Department's ongoing investigation.

Grimm famously made national headlines when he threatened a television reporter who asked about the allegations of wrongdoing against him. With cameras rolling, the reporter attempted to ask his question and Grimm walked off camera, but then returned and threatened to throw the reporter over a balcony.

(from the Washington Post)