Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump has granted a full pardon to former New York Republican Rep. Michael Grimm, a White House official confirmed.
Grimm, a Republican who served in Congress from 2011 to 2015, was convicted in 2014 on tax fraud charges related to his prior ownership of a Manhattan restaurant.
Prosecutors accused him of underreporting wages and revenue, employing undocumented workers paid in cash and filing false tax documents to avoid federal and state taxes. He also allegedly withheld workers’ compensation insurance payments and made false statements under oath to conceal his actions.
Federal prosecutors argued that Grimm’s conduct extended beyond financial crimes, citing threats he made to a reporter and his efforts to downplay the severity of his offenses during sentencing.
“Though the defendant casts himself as an individual with a life ‘nothing short of extraordinary in its commitment to service,’” the Justice Department wrote, “his habit of falsely denying and minimizing his criminal conduct… is indicative of an individual who has not come to terms with his own crimes.”
Despite facing federal charges, Grimm was reelected in 2014 but pleaded guilty to a single count of tax fraud soon after. He resigned in January 2015 and served approximately eight months in prison, gaining release in May 2016.
A former Marine and FBI agent, Grimm represented Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn during his time in Congress. He was also the subject of a separate investigation over alleged campaign finance violations tied to his 2010 election.
Grimm attempted a political comeback in 2018 but lost the GOP primary to then-Rep. Dan Donovan, who later lost in the general election to Democrat Max Rose.
In a tragic turn, Grimm was left paralyzed from the chest down following a horse-riding accident during a polo match in September 2024.
He had served as a host for Newsmax’s “Wake Up Weekend” with co-host Sarah Williamson and worked as a contributor for other Newsmax programs.
“Our friend, veteran Marine, FBI Agent, and US Congressman Michael Grimm was paralyzed following a devastating accident when thrown from a horse in September 2024,” a GoFundMe page set up after the accident said.
“[T]hrough the grace of God, Mr. Grimm has miraculously thread[ed] the needle to survive,” the page continues, adding, “Yet, his ongoing care and the treatment to walk again will cost millions of dollars.”
“For a man who has dedicated his life to helping others, we now humbly ask that you give generously to help him,” it continued.