After pleading guilty to tax evasion charges last week, Staten Island Rep. Michael Grimm will resign from Congress.
According to the New York Daily News, it was reported that Grimm would leave his post yesterday. He confirmed this in a statement last night, announcing that he will step down effective Jan. 5:
The events which led to this day did not break my spirit, nor the will of the voters, reads a statement from the congressman. However, I do not believe that I can continue to be 100% effective in the next Congress, and therefore, out of respect for the Office and the people I so proudly represent, it is time for me to start the next chapter of my life.
The Huffington Post reports that Grimm was indicted on 20 counts of tax fraud in April prior to pleading guilty to one count last week. He had planned to keep serving on Congress, but reconsidered after being advised by House Speaker John Boehner. Had Grimm not pleaded guilty to the charges, his trial would've begun on Feb. 2.
Despite the controversy looming over his head, Grimm was still re-elected in November. He earned further infamy earlier this year after threatening to pulverize NY1 reporter Michael Scotto.
[via New York Daily News and The Huffington Post]
