A watchdog group is requesting an investigation into whether Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY) violated house rules when he threatened to throw a reporter off a balcony Tuesday night for asking about a federal probe into his campaign finances.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a request for investigation Wednesday with the Office of Congressional Ethics, arguing Grimm went “well beyond the bounds of reasonableness” when he physically threatened NY1 reporter Michael Scotto after the State of the Union address.
The watchdog group’s complaint to OCE alleged Grimm’s conduct violated House Rule 23, which requires members of the House conduct themselves “at all times in a manner that reflects creditably on the House.” CREW also argued Grimm abused his position in threatening a reporter who was exercising his First Amendment rights and did not provoke him.
“Rep. Grimm’s behavior last night was completely unacceptable and reflects discreditably on the House of Representatives,” CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan said in a statement. “Unfortunately, his total meltdown is in keeping with the congressman’s refusal to come clean about the allegations surrounding his shady fundraising practices. Perhaps the pressure of the ongoing federal investigation is finally starting to get to him.”