!["Too often we educate the world’s best and brightest in STEM fields, only to send them back to countries like India and China to open businesses and compete against us. .. I am proud to reintroduce.. new version of the Startup Act with my colleagues..."](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/36/07/36075d9ed7eab5c4c59cd92e2898e3aa.jpg?itok=B8ayVRhs ""Too often we educate the world’s best and brightest in STEM fields, only to send them back to countries like India and China to open businesses and compete against us. .. I am proud to reintroduce.. new version of the Startup Act with my colleagues..."")
Citizens for responsibility and ethics in Washington (CREW) have named Rep. Michael Grimm as one of the most corrupt members of Congress.
CREW
CREW is an organization which claims to be "dedicated to promoting ethics and accountability in government and public life by targeting government officials who sacrifice the common good to special interests." The Executive Director is Melanie Sloan who received her B.A. and J.D. from the University of Chicago. She served as Minority Counsel for the House Judiciary Committee, working on criminal justice issues for John Conyers (D-MI), and as Counsel for the Crime Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Charles Schumer (D-NY). In 1993, Sloan served as Nominations Counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee, under then-Chairman Joseph Biden (D-DE). (source)
CREW charges that Grimm used FBI and Marine insignias on campaign materials without consent from either group, later apologizing. Note: He is a former Marine, having served in the Gulf War.
After winning the election, Grimm endorsed a private security firm, which is possibly a conflict of interest according to the Congressional Ethics Manual. The manual tells members not to be "too closely affiliated with any commercial entity."
There is an ongoing FBI investigation of Grimm's 2010 campaign fundraising as he enlisted help from an Israeli citizen, Ofer Biton, during his 2010 campaign. Mr. Biton was able to achieve large sums of money from donors for Grimm. Allegedly, in return, Mr. Biton might get help from Grimm in procuring a green card.
Further, to promote his re-election campaign, Rep. Grimm used footage from floor proceedings.
Despite the campaign controversy and Obama win last year, Grimm won re-election with 53 percent of the vote.
Next Election
House Majority PAC has targeted Grimm for next year as a vulnerable Republican in the House, and they will work hard to destroy his chances for another re-election. "Spokesman Andy Stone said that Grimm's voting record was 'out of step' with the voters of the district and that the district was 'trending Democratic' after President Barack Obama won here last year." source
Grimm's office through spokeswoman Carol Danko responded to the efforts:
"The Democratic Party can't help but be frustrated by the consistent, effective leadership the congressman continues to deliver, so it's no surprise they see him as such a threat...
"The bottom line is that Congressman Grimm has delivered for his constituents time and time again, so the notion that he has an extreme record is belied by the facts and proves that this is nothing more than political nonsense. They can spend and waste as much money as they like because the hard-working people of Staten Island and Brooklyn know that they have a congressman that would move mountains for them." source
Democratic Super PACs start year with cash advantage, "Spokesman Andy Stone said the super PAC is focused on 'crunching the numbers' to help propel Democrats back into power. Among House Majority PAC’s targets are Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., who organized the House Tea Party Caucus in 2010 and was re-elected last year with a surprisingly narrow margin of victory, and Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y."
Congressman Grimm Trying to Go on With Work Despite Allegations, “[The allegations] are pretty insulting,” Grimm told POLITICO on the deck of the Staten Island ferry, after spending time with the boat’s captain. “It’s not a mystery how I ran a successful campaign, and it’s not a mystery how I’ve been such a successful newcomer in Congress: I work really, really hard.” “If I can’t do the job, then I shouldn’t be here and I don’t want to be here,” he said.
Democrats are lining up for a shot at Staten Island's Grimm in 2014, "Former Rep. Michael McMahon is thinking about running for his old seat....Despite Obama's win and the continuing FBI investigation of Grimm's 2010 fund-raising, the congressman easily won re-election last year. And it was McMahon that Grimm bested the first time around."
The Brooklyn Paper, Grimm news for Democrats?: "Southern Brooklyn Republican leaders say Councilman Domenic Recchia’s decision to run for Congress in 2014 will guarantee Rep. Michael Grimm’s re-election..."
New York Post, Oct. 2010
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