Report: Feds Preparing Criminal Charges Against Republican Congressman

Rep. Michael Grimm (Image source: AP)

Federal prosecutors are preparing criminal charges against Rep. Michael Grimm, a culmination of a two-year FBI probe that has looked into his business dealings as well as his first campaign for Congress in 2010, U.S. officials briefed on the matter said, CNN reported.

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In recent months, public attention has focused on the 44-year-old House member's campaign donations after a friend and donor was charged with funneling illegal contributions to Grimm's campaign four years ago.

The former FBI agent and two-term Republican lawmaker from New York made headlines when he was shown on camera threatening to throw a reporter over the Capitol Hill balcony after an interview following the State of the Union address in January.

A former Marine, Grimm represents the borough of Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn, and is a darling of tea party conservatives.

There was no comment from the U.S. attorney's office in Brooklyn on the expectation that charges could be filed as soon as next week.

An attorney for Grimm, William McGinley, said in a statement to CNN that his client "asserts his innocence of any wrongdoing" and that "we are disappointed by the government's decision, but hardly surprised."

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McGinley said the investigation has been plagued by malicious leaks, violations of grand jury secrecy, and strong-arm tactics," saying that from the beginning, the government has pursued a politically driven vendetta against Congressman Grimm and not an independent search for the truth."

He said Grimm would remain in office and would be vindicated.

Prosecutors from that office and the Justice Department's public integrity section in Washington have been reviewing details of the case against Grimm in recent weeks, and have decided to proceed with charges, the officials said.

Charges are expected to relate to Grimm's previous business dealings and alleged false statements he provided when questioned by the government about them. Precise details couldn't be learned.

Read the rest of the CNN story here.