Grimm Guilty of Tax Evasion — Grimm says he “Absolutely will not resign”
Like a drumbeat, this chant needs to grow from everybody in Brooklyn and Staten Island — GRIMM * MUST * GO ! — But mostly from the moral Republicans that voted for him
According to the Daily News, “The Staten Island Republican admitted his guilt in a hearing before Brooklyn Federal Court Pamela Chen, exactly seven weeks after he won re-election to a third term... During the campaign, Grimm said he would step down if he no longer was ‘able to serve’ - leaving the impression that he would quit Congress if convicted. *** But after the hearing on Tuesday, Grimm struck a note of defiance, saying there is nothing to prevent him from fulfilling his obligations as a congressman. *** ‘As I said before, as long as I am able to serve, I will serve,’ he said. *** ‘Everything we're talking about here happened before I was in Congress and for the past four years I've been a very effective, strong member of Congress that has served the people of Staten Island very well, and I think the proof of that is the will of the people. Ultimately the will of the people will speak,’ he said....” (See “Rep. Michael Grimm pleads guilty to felony count of tax evasion, but says he will ‘absolutely not’ resign” by John Marzulli, 12/23/14, NY Daily News [http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/rep-michael-grimm-pleads-guilty-felony-count-tax-evas-article-1.2054723]).
Also according to the account in the News, Grimm can be sentenced from probation to three years in prison for the single charge to which he pleaded guilty. However, as a first-time offender, no doubt Grimm is hoping to avoid jail, a scenario that would allow him, in theory, to still serve in his position as congressman from Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn.
Nonetheless, Grimm will face enormous pressure to quit, because his guilty plea means that he is convicted tax felon.
House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) already has spoken out. She issued a statement on Tuesday demanding that Grimm resign and other Democrats followed suit.
Reuters did a more detailed report about what might happen now, saying this among other things: “... Grimm's defiant declaration could put U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner and other Republican leaders in a difficult position, as Democratic members have already begun calling for Grimm's resignation. *** ‘Clearly, Speaker Boehner must insist that Congressman Grimm resign immediately,’ said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi in a statement from her home earlier on Tuesday. A Boehner spokesman said he would not comment until he has discussed the issue with Grimm. *** Grimm told reporters he has had ‘private discussions’ with leadership but would not elaborate. *** House members who plead guilty to a crime that carries two or more years in prison ‘should’ refrain from voting on the floor or participating in committee business, according to House rules. *** The House could also vote to expel Grimm, as it did in the case of Democratic congressman James Traficant, who was found guilty of taking bribes and other crimes in 2002 but refused to resign....” (See “U.S. Representative Grimm says will not resign after pleading guilty to tax fraud” by Nate Raymond, 12/23/14, Reuters/ New York [http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/23/us-usa-crime-grimm-idUSKBN0K11KG20141223]).
The Brooklyn-Staten Island Congressman Needs to Resign IMMEDIATELY — We can’t have a representative in Congress who is guilty of Federal crimes — Grimm has continually lied to the people who voted for him
Based on several conversations around the Brooklyn GOP Holiday Party last evening at The Pearl, there is next to no support for Grimm’s holding onto his congressional seat if he pleaded guilty to any of the charges against him. Several Brooklyn Republican activists indicated that they would press for Grimm’s immediate resignation. In fact, State GOP Chairman Ed Cox initially responded to the proposition that Grimm must resign immediately if he pleaded guilty to tax evasion with a “...Sure, that should be part of any deal...”
The position of this blog is simple and unequivocal. To let Grimm stay in congress, only allows him to attempt to compound his crimes and the lies that he made to his electorate, Republicans, Democrats and others, before and since the election.
Just because immoral and corrupt Republican public servants like Michael Grimm and Guy Molinari keep moving the bar lower and lower in their attempts to forgive and forget all of Grimm’s lies and crimes doesn’t mean that any moral Republicans need to join them.
Grimm needs to resign immediately. All Brooklyn Republicans need to join the chant — GRIMM MUST GO ! Especially included must be any Republicans that consider themselves to be moral individuals that might have voted for Grimm before his status as a Federal felon was established, as it now has been.
31 comments:
As the late great Congressman Trafficante said "beam me up Scotty"
UPDATE: THE “LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE” EDITION
WHAT GRIMM’S “... RESOLUTE...” PLEA TO ONE CHARGE OF TAX FRAUD REALLY MEANS
GRIMM SIGNED ADMISSION AND ACKNOWLEDGED: “PERJURY” – “HIRING ILLEGAL [ALIENS]” – “WIRE FRAUD”
AT LEAST ONE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COLLEAGUE SAYS GRIMM WILL RESIGN
The New York Times is shedding somewhat more light on what the Staten Island [and part of Brooklyn] Congressman’s plea to one charge really means (See “Congressman Pleads Guilty But Says He Won’t Resign” by Jason Horowitz, 12/23/14, NY Times [http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/24/nyregion/rep-michael-grimm-pleads-guilty-to-tax-fraud.html?_r=0]). The Horowitz article gives a great deal more flavor to the whole stew that Grimm consumed in the U.S. Eastern District Court earlier today.
Among other things, the Times article, cited above, noted that “... Representative Grimm said he had no intention of stepping down. ‘Absolutely not,’ he said. *** [NOW THIS IS THE REALLY GOOD PART – GM] He sounded equally resolute when he declared himself ‘guilty’ to Judge Pamela K. Chen of United States District Court in Brooklyn, who accepted his plea and noted that it included his signing of a ‘statement of facts’ in which he acknowledged committing perjury, hiring illegal immigrants and committing wire fraud....”
This part of Timesman Jason Horowitz' piece is probably indicative of what to expect from Grimm’s Republican colleagues in Congress: “One Republican congressman, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak by the leadership, said that there was a feeling that Mr. Grimm would eventually resign, and that he was holding onto his seat as a bargaining chip against further investigation. The pressure from leadership, the isolation in Congress and the potential inability even to cast a vote would force Mr. Grimm’s hand, the member said....”
Merry Christmas
http://www.behindenemylinesradio.us/2014/12/our-gift-to-you-worst-xmas-carols-ever.html?m=1
Dan Donovan is making moves for Grimms seat
Sadly, Dan will never recover politically if he runs for the seat.
Democrats will claim his nomination is a payoff for steering the Garner grand jury away from indicting that racist cop, and use Dan as their national poster boy for Republican racism for decades.
The comment above dosent seem to get that the Garner case made Donovan a hero with the people of staten island.
Why do you think Donovan did it?
Donovan could win that seat as a write in.
Addendum to "Anonymous...3:42AM:
Seasons Greetings from Mrs. Potatoe Head...
Addendum to Gale at 1:07 PM:
WRONG. Not Me. Why? Because I know he isn't a racist cop.He was simply trying to carry out the broken windows directives from the top.
So Gale, as usual, you are: WRONG.
And - you are not Irish.
If I'm not Mrs. Potatoe Head than I don't know I am.
It's Boxing Day Gale. Shouldn't you be out chasing wrens?
You are WRONG.
the comment from 3:42 am needs to get some sleep. Racists in staten island?
Why do you think people moved to that landfill dump?
Donovan might be a hero to Staten Island, but if he runs for Congress, national Democrats will claim the seat was his reward for steering the grand jury away from indicting the cop in the Garner case, Dan would be their national poster boy -- another racist Republican. It would be all most people ever know of Dan, the story that will follow him his entire life.
RESPONSE: THE "DONOVAN, DONOVAN..." EDITION
It's not really about the Garner case (although Anonymous 3:42 and 6:31 is onto something that probably will keep Mr. Donovan out of it).
The Donovan talk is an attempt by a few Staten Island GOP good ol' boys to head off Nicole Malliotakis.
BACKFILL: THE “ ‘GOP’ MEDIA BUZZ – QUOTES BROOKLYN CONSERVATIVES” EDITION
NEWSMAX SAYS GRIMM IS ON HIS WAY OUT AND NICOLE’S STAR IS RISING
ARE BROOKLYN CONSERVATIVES OUT TO BE GRIMM KILLERS AND KINGMAKERS... MAKE THAT... “QUEENMAKERS” ?
According to a report in yesterday’s Newsmax:
“Less than 36 hours after the surprise guilty plea to a single count of tax fraud by Rep. Michael Grimm (R-New York), talk was increasingly audible in his 11th District (Staten Island-Brooklyn) that the former FBI agent and Marine Corps veteran will most likely have to resign from office. *** Several local political leaders, in fact, told Newsmax they have already begun to discuss a possible successor on the Republican and conservative ballot lines in a special election they feel certain will be called next year. *** The most oft mentioned successor in the event of Grimm’s exodus is that of State Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, 34, the daughter of Greek and Cuban parents and the lone Republican woman to hold elective office in New York City. Also mentioned are Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan, who oversaw the controversial Eric Garner case prosecution, and former six-term Rep. Vito Fossella, who still maintains a following within the district six years after leaving office....” (See “Rep. Michael Grimm's Future Dim After Guilty Plea” by John Gizzi, 12/26/14, Newsmax [http://www.newsmax.com/John-Gizzi/Michael-Grimm-new-york-tax-evasion-conservative-party/2014/12/26/id/615021/]).
It’s notable that Brooklyn Conservative Party Leaders Jerry Kassar and Mike Long were prominently quoted in the Newsmax article. Hmmmm !
As a life long Democrat, I can say that Dan Donovan is a true centrist with the ability to cross party lines to get things done. He himself is a former Democrat and from my view they are often the best Republicans as they see both sides. Dan Donovan is a centrist Republican. This will work to his benefit. I think it is important from the beginning to quash the notion of "racist Republicans" when speaking of Donovan. As the DA he was the first ever to prosecute a hate crime on* Staten Island. He has made his office one of the most diverse as ever. He also is to be commended for his scathing report attacking Shelly Silver and Silver's part in trying to hide the Vito Lopez scandal. One issue that might come back to haunt Donovan is his previous relationship with Bernie Kerik. I recall that came up during the 2010 AG run but was quieted very quickly. The Garner case does bot have legs. The grand jury spoke. The people spoke. The fallout is not on Donovan's hands. He is also very close to Loretta Lynch so generally that can't hurt him - and might even help.
Of course all of this is probably moot because we know Michael McMahon will be reclaiming the Congressional seat. And truly can anyone think of a better Irishman to restore integrity to the district?
* when referencing an island we always say "on an island" not "in", as one does not go in an island- so it is "on Staten Island". - better than the pedantic blogger I am.
Nicole Maliatoklilkaklasis is out of her league in the assembly.
Donovan is known for preserving the way of life that staten island wants.
All of you poli sci majors should go to the Huffington Post and click on to the New York section. You'll see 50,000 protesters today in NYC that all have one thing in common. None of them live in staten island.
Than go to Daily News and you'll see thousands of cops at funeral. They all live in staten island.
ON Staten Island not IN. One doesn't live in an island, one lives ON an island. J,M&J, ON!
You can put a hat ON a potatoe, but that doesn't mean there are any thoughts IN that potatoe.
I think Recchia should run again.
The people of staten island will reject the Donovan racism and side will Al Sharpton and his cousin DeBlasio
Dan Donovan = $million$ raised for Democratic candidates nationally.
Sure he can hold the seat. He'll just cost us a 5-10 other seats around the country in 2016.
"Kassar likes Malliotakis" is a deathknell for her candidacy.....remember he is the one who was Grimm's biggest supporter....keep it up Gerry...you will ensure that Donovan is the candidate for that seat....
That is a funny post...I remember that....Kassar was Grimm's biggest backer and for that he got jobs for Fran Marrone and the drunk....Come to think of it, Kassar hasnt won a race in a long time....remember Lilikakis, who he convinced to pay for the entire office on 3rd Avenue...what a putz
Kassar is Malliotakis' worst nightmare here....she should figure this out....the SI GOP will go against anyone that Kassar wants....
Kassar just cost Malliotakis the nomination since Eaton doesnt get along with him and Ignizio certainly will not do what Kassar wants...in fact the SI GOP will do exactly the opposite of what Kassar wants since he is mentally challenged.
COMMENT: THE "HEY, GO EASY ON KASSAR" EDITION
I used to know Jerry Kassar, he used to be a friend of mine... And the guy that you're ranking on is not the "Jerry Kassar" that I remember....
On the other hand, since he became Golden's COS .....
Nobody needs Eaton the useless.
Kassar has the conservative line something candidates cant win without.
Does anyone really think Kassar decides who gets conservative line?
Mike Long calls the shots.
hey gail what yo mean Golden's COS don't you mean Golden's POS
Don't underestimate Dan Donovan as a strong and viable candidate for the Congressional seat. Just look back to the 2010 AG race and you can get a snese of his strength. he blew Antonucci away in the GOP primary and Donovan very likely would have won the general election had he come up against Kathleen Rice. I worked on her campaign and by all accounts the Democratic primary was hers and she came close to winning. Someone however leaked her lack of voting record to the media and they made a huge Donnybrook out of it and got the papers to keep the story alive for weeks. Had she won the primary - which she only lost to Schneiderman by a minuscule margin, then Donovan very likely would have beaten her in the general election because then they would have compared for the voters two very stark views of the justice system. Hand down, Donovan would have won. I hope the GOP goes with Donovan.
QUESTION: THE "WHAT HAPPENED TO...?" EDITION
WHAT HAPPENED TO "CONGRESSMAN GOLDEN, GET USED TO IT ?"
As soon as the talk about congressional candidates got serious, the "Congressman Golden" talk stopped -- immediately and completely.
I wonder why that happened -- hmmmm ?
Why didn't Kassar start talking up his own boss instead of Nicole M ?
UPDATE: THE "STICK A FORK IN HIM -- HE'S DONE" EDITION
According to one report (ABC News), after speaking to Boehner, Grimm knew that he had to resign.
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