Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY) pleaded guilty to a single count of tax evasion on Tuesday and almost immediately announced that he would not resign his seat in the House, where he was re-elected last month.
His made his guilty plea to Judge Pamela Chen in federal court in Brooklyn, according to the New York Daily News, which, a day earlier, broke the news of the New York congressman’s guilty plea plans.
Grimm was charged in April with 20 felony counts for his alleged involvement in hiding $1 million worth of wages and sales at the restaurant he ran before he entered Congress. He had also been charged with hiring illegal immigrants. At the time he pleaded not guilty.
During his plea he said he “underestimated” the receipts at his restaurant, according to Roll Call’s Alexis Levinson.
Grimm said he “underestimated” gross receipts at his restaurant, paid employees off the books, and therefore tax returns were false.
— Alexis Levinson (@alexis_levinson) December 23, 2014
When the judge pressed, Grimm clarified that by “underestimated” he meant under reported”
— Alexis Levinson (@alexis_levinson) December 23, 2014
House Democrats were quick to demand that House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) push Grimm to resign. Boehner’s office said the speaker would not release a statement on Grimm until he sat down with the New York congressman.
Pleads guilty to one of 20 charges but still is a Repub hero. Ahole should be in jail, not having any vote in government
The irony is that, in many states, being a felon means he loses his right to vote. As a member of congress, however, he will be able to vote on binding laws that effect the tax status, financial security, and general welfare of his constituents.
We all know three things with utter and clear certainty:
One, that Grimm should resign or be forced to resign from Congress.
Two, that Grimm does not have the grace or decency to resign.
THREE, that though Republicans may be quick to demand that a fellow Democratic Congress person (with say, a fine for jaywalking) be immediately removed from Congress, they never ever force fellow Republicans to resign, no matter the crime.
Of course he’s defiant. He’s a fucking Republicant - and a felon.
The house repugs will give him a heroes welcome. They love tax evaders.