Fox News cited a report by the Washington Post, which said on late Sunday that New York Representative Michael Grimm is expected to turn himself in to federal authorities on Monday following charges stemming from the operation of a restaurant he previously ran before entering the US Congress. The Post added that Grimm will be surrendering at the Federal Bureau of Investigation's headquarters in Lower Manhattan, and that the unsealing of the specific charges against him will subsequently follow. The charges will be announced by US Attorney Loretta Lynch.
Although the charges filed against Grimm has yet to be revealed, the Post said that they are related to the Upper East Side restaurant, Healthalicious. Fox News said that it is also not known whether the charges will have a link to a long-running FBI investigation on Grimm's 2010 congressional campaign financing.
A statement from Grimm's attorney, William McGinley, read, "We are disappointed by the government's decision, but hardly surprised. From the beginning, the government has pursued a politically driven vendetta against Congressman Grimm and not an independent search for the truth. (Grimm) asserts his innocence of any wrongdoing (and) will be vindicated. Until then, he will continue to serve his constituents with the same dedication and tenacity that has characterized his lifetime of public service as a Member of Congress, Marine Corps combat veteran, and decorated FBI Special Agent."
Fox News noted that in November, the House Ethics Committee had announced that Grimm was subject of an investigation for potential violations of campaign finance laws. The committee added that it would be deferring its inquiry because of a Department of Justice investigation separate from its own probe.
Grimm has since denied an improprieties lodged against him, Fox News said. These include receiving contributions from Israeli rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto's followers via straw donors.
