Ethics panel again defers to Justice on Rep. Grimm
WASHINGTON— Rep. Michael Grimm of New York won re-election this month, but he still faces a criminal investigation into possible campaign finance violations, as well as a 20-count indictment on tax fraud and other charges.
The House Ethics Committee said Wednesday it again is deferring an investigation of possible campaign finance violations by the Staten Island Republican, leaving the matter in the hands of the Justice Department, which is conducting a criminal probe. The ethics panel also deferred action in 2012 and 2013, citing the ongoing criminal probe.
The committee said in a statement Wednesday that the Justice Department continues to investigate allegations that Grimm solicited and accepted prohibited contributions from foreign donors and improperly offered to help a foreign national obtain a green card in exchange for campaign contributions.