Convicted felon: Michael Grimm (R)
Like all felons, Republican Michael Grimm denied violating any laws and like all political felons, Michael Grimm screamed it's a "
political witch hunt." However, Michael Grimm knew he, at the very least, he was guilty of: one felony charge of tax fraud, committed perjury, wire fraud and hired illegal immigrants at his restaurant
... all of which Michael Grimm eventually pleaded guilty to.
As a lawyer, Grimm knew/knows that felons are not allowed to vote and are not allowed to serve on an Jury so what the hell made him think he could write and vote on US Laws?
Voting Rights:
Convicted felons like Michael Grimm cannot vote in any election while in prison and/or while on parole.
§ 5-106. Qualifications of voters; reasons for exclusion.
3. No person who has been convicted in a federal court, of a felony, or a crime or offense which would constitute a felony under the laws of this state, shall have the right to register for or vote at any election unless he shall have been pardoned or restored to the rights of citizenship by the president of the United States, or his maximum sentence of imprisonment has expired, or he has been discharged from parole.
Jury Duty:
Convicted felons like Michael Grimm cannot serve on any State Jury duty
New York Judiciary Law: §510 (3)
Qualifications
In order to qualify as a juror a person must:
1. Be a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the county.
2. Be not less than eighteen years of age.
3. Not have been convicted of a felony.
4. Be able to understand and communicate in the English language.
Despicable:
Michael Grimm, like many politicians, is a self-absorbed, narcissist who, even after pleading guilty in Federal Court to felony charges, continues to say he simply made "
mistakes" as opposed to willfully and knowingly violating Federal laws.
But more important, after Michael Grimm pleaded guilty to: one felony, acknowledged he committed perjury, wire fraud and illegally hired undocumented immigrants, what made him think he could continue to write and vote on US Laws?
Michael Grimm's statement after he entered a guilty plea in Federal Court might shed light as to why he thought he could still write and vote on US Laws:
I'm very, very grateful for the outpouring of love and support that I have received. It really has been overwhelming. It makes you realize, even in your darkest hours, how blessed you can be. I thank God for giving me the strength to endure these very difficult times and he's given me the courage to admit when I am wrong.
"Before I was elected, as you now know, I was a small business owner of a little restaurant in Manhattan. And although it was a little restaurant, I made some very big mistakes. Mistakes that I immensely, immensely regret and I am certainly truly sorry for.
"But I also accept full responsibility for all of those mistakes in every way. It's difficult to admit when you're wrong. I was. I under-reported the gross sales receipts of the restaurant to pay business expenses, including payroll for employees that were off the books. It's true. I had, for example, delivery boys that were paid off the books. And as a result, the taxes were not accurate." [No, dickhead, they were FRAUDULENT].
"Now I want you to know I've already been inundated with messages and comments by many that everyone does this, that everyone pays people off the books and it's very common. But let me be very clear. It's wrong. [No asshat, it was ILLEGAL]
I should not have done it and I am truly sorry for it. I know a lot of people talk about, from nannies to landscapers to restaurants -- it doesn't make it right. [Because it is ILLEGAL]. And I'm taking full responsibility for my actions.
"I know that some are going to use this to demonize me. They're gonna use this for political purposes like they've done for the last three years. And for every person that has made a negative comment, there's been more than 10-fold that have made very positive comments, have told me that they're keeping me in their prayers, and how they're thinking of me. These wonderful people, these are the hard-working people that I represent, and they have strengthened my resolve to finally bring this terrible chapter of my life to a close. So now as I begin to put this behind me with the comfort of knowing that the government is done criminally investigating me and that all these matters are closed, I remember the outpouring and encouragement of my constituents that I've been very blessed to have."
"You know I have a different relationship than most members of Congress. My relationship with my constituents is very close. It's very special. And I'm going to do what I've done since I've been elected. I'm going to get back to work and work as hard as I can -- as I have -- to continue to be a voice for them when they have none. And for the people of Staten Island and Brooklyn, again, I want to say thank you for all of your support. Just last month I had an unprecedented overwhelming victory which shows that support. But I also want them to know how sorry I am. I'm truly, truly sorry for the mistakes I made as a small business owner before I was elected to office. And I want to thank them very much for supporting me."
~ Republican Michael Grimm statement after pleading guilty to felony charges, perjury and illegally hiring undocumented immigrants
Emphasis and comments in brackets are added by me.
Michael Grimm did not simply make "mistakes" -- he willfully, knowingly violated laws.
So, in Grimm's criminal mind, did he think he didn't really violate Federal laws that he pleaded guilty to ... but simply made a "mistake" when he was too young and dumb to know the Federal laws that he, himself, had investigated while he was an FBI agent?
ANSWER: No.
Grimm knows full well he did not simply make "mistakes." Grimm knows he is a felon who willfully violated Federal laws and thought he was smart enough to cover-up his crimes because he had been an FBI agent who investigated white collar crimes.
Recall:
On April 29, 2014, Michael Grimm was indicted in Federal Court on charges of felony tax fraud, perjury, hiring undocumented immigrants to work at his restaurant. At that time, Grimm knew he was guilty.
On April 28, 2014 the FBI arrested Michael Grimm. FBI Assistant Director George Venizelos issued statement regarding Grimm.
As a former FBI agent, Representative Grimm should understand the motto: fidelity, bravery, and integrity. Yet he broke our credo at nearly every turn. In this twenty-count indictment, Representative Grimm lived by a new motto: fraud, perjury, and obstruction.
...
Representative Grimm billed himself as a patriot and an American hero. A decorated Marine. A former FBI agent, now representing his fellow citizens of Staten Island and Brooklyn. But Representative Grimm was anything but an upstanding citizen. He cheated, evaded, and then lied.
~FBI Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos Concerning the Arrest and Charges Against U.S. Representative Michael Grimm
the FBI agent said.
At that time, even though Grimm knew he was guilty he told reporters that his arrest and 20 count indictment was a "political witch hunt" blah blah
GRIMM: We're going to fight tooth and nail. We're going to fight tooth and nail until I am fully exonerated.
~ April 28, 2014 Michael Grimm on 20 count indictment against him
Grimm doubled-down on his BS lies.
GRIMM: Since day one, the press has been fed all types of innuendos and accusations to support - now let me be very clear - political witch hunt. And this political witch hunt was designed to do a couple of things, but first and foremost, assassinate my character and remove me from office.
News outlets are reporting that Republican Michael Grimm will resign from his congressional seat today. I'll be interested to see if he claims he simply made "
mistakes" or if he will finally underscore the fact that he is a GD felon who willfully violated laws?