History of Michael Grimm (politician) in Timeline

Michael Grimm is a former American politician who served as a U.S. Representative for New York from 2011 to 2015. Representing both the 13th and 11th congressional districts of New York, which encompassed Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn, Grimm was a Republican and the only one representing a significant part of New York City during his tenure. His time in Congress ended prematurely due to his conviction on tax fraud charges, which led to his resignation.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

February 7, 1970: Michael Grimm's Birth

On February 7, 1970, Michael Gerard Grimm was born. He later became a politician representing New York in the United States Congress.

1988: Grimm Graduated High School

In 1988, Michael Grimm graduated from Archbishop Molloy High School.

1989: Grimm Entered Active Duty in the Marine Corps

In 1989, Michael Grimm entered active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps. During his service, he received a combat promotion to corporal and was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, and Meritorious Unit Commendation, among other awards.

1991: Grimm Entered the FBI as a Clerk

In 1991, Michael Grimm began his career with the FBI as a clerk.

1994: Grimm Received BBA from Baruch College

In 1994, Michael Grimm received a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in accounting from Baruch College.

1995: Grimm Entered the FBI Academy

In 1995, Michael Grimm entered the FBI Academy in Quantico Station, Virginia, and graduated as a special agent. He was then certified to become an undercover agent.

1997: Grimm Discharged from Marine Corps Reserve

In 1997, Michael Grimm was discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve after having transferred from active duty earlier.

1999: Allegations of Authority Abuse

In 1999, Michael Grimm was allegedly involved in an incident at a nightclub, leading to an internal investigation into allegations that he abused his authority as an FBI agent. This was reported by Evan Ratliff in The New Yorker in 2011.

2002: Grimm Received Juris Doctor from New York Law School

In 2002, Michael Grimm received a Juris Doctor degree (magna cum laude) from New York Law School.

2006: Grimm Founded Healthalicious

In 2006, Michael Grimm founded a small health food restaurant in Manhattan called Healthalicious. He also co-owned and served as principal and chief executive officer of Austin Refuel Transport, a bio-fuel company.

2006: Grimm Left the FBI

In 2006, Michael Grimm left the FBI, citing his exhaustion from working long hours. During his time with the FBI, he spent two years posing as a small-cap stockbroker, uncovering white-collar criminals on Wall Street.

January 23, 2010: Grimm Launched Campaign for Congressional Seat

On January 23, 2010, Michael Grimm launched his campaign for the 13th New York Congressional District seat. He received endorsements from Rudy Giuliani and Guy Molinari, and was challenged by Michael Allegretti.

November 2, 2010: Grimm Defeated McMahon

On November 2, 2010, Michael Grimm defeated McMahon in the race for the 13th New York Congressional District, winning 51% to 48%.

July 2011: Safety Violations for Austin Refuel Transport

In July 2011, the New York Daily News reported that Austin Refuel Transport, where Michael Grimm was a silent investor, had received 11 safety violations in two U.S. Department of Transportation checkups.

2011: New Yorker Report on Grimm

In 2011, Evan Ratliff reported in The New Yorker that Michael Grimm had been the subject of an internal investigation into allegations that he abused his authority as an FBI agent in 1999. Grimm stated that the incident had been fully investigated and that he had been cleared of all allegations.

2011: Grimm Represents New York in Congress

In 2011, Michael Grimm began representing New York in the United States Congress, specifically the 13th congressional district, which included Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn.

2011: Grimm Aware of Possible Revenge

In 2011, Michael Grimm stated that he has long been aware of the possibility that people may try to take revenge on him due to his work as an undercover agent with the FBI.

January 27, 2012: NY Times Article on Campaign Donations

On January 27, 2012, The New York Times published an article stating that followers of Orthodox Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto alleged that Michael Grimm's campaign had accepted questionable donations. Grimm denied any wrongdoing.

August 2012: Investigation into Grimm's 2010 Campaign

In August 2012, the office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York announced that it was investigating Michael Grimm's 2010 campaign.

November 2012: House Ethics Committee Inquiry

In November 2012, the House Ethics Committee decided to inquire into Michael Grimm's 2010 campaign but agreed to "defer consideration" of it at the Department of Justice's request.

June 2013: Grimm on Water Fees for Sandy Survivors

In June 2013, Michael Grimm stated that he believed water fees should be waived for survivors of Hurricane Sandy who had been displaced from their homes, calling the bills "ridiculous".

2013: Grimm Lied in Deposition

In 2013, Michael Grimm lied in a deposition, as he later admitted as part of a plea bargain on December 23, 2014. This was one of the offenses in the original indictment against him.

January 10, 2014: Arrest of Diana Durand

On January 10, 2014, Diana Durand, Michael Grimm's former girlfriend, was arrested by the FBI on charges of illegally donating more than $10,000 to Grimm's 2010 campaign. Grimm denied any wrongdoing.

January 28, 2014: Grimm Threatened Reporter

On January 28, 2014, Michael Grimm threatened NY1-TV political reporter Michael Scotto after Scotto tried to question him about a campaign finance investigation, saying he would "break [Scotto] in half" and threatening to throw him over the balcony.

March 2014: Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act Passed

In March 2014, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, cosponsored by Michael Grimm and Bill Cassidy, was passed by the U.S. Senate and signed into law by President Obama. The law repealed and capped flood insurance premiums for millions of Americans.

April 2014: Grimm Acknowledged Human Cause of Climate Change

According to Politico, in April 2014, Michael Grimm became the first sitting House Republican to publicly state he believed that humans cause climate change.

April 25, 2014: Grimm's Attorney Advised of Indictment

On April 25, 2014, Michael Grimm's attorney was advised by the U.S. Attorney's office that his client would be indicted on criminal charges related to Healthalicious.

April 28, 2014: Grimm Charged with Fraud

On April 28, 2014, Michael Grimm was charged by federal authorities with 20 counts of fraud, federal tax evasion, and perjury.

September 2014: Durand Pled Guilty

In September 2014, Diana Durand pled guilty to making illegal contributions to Michael Grimm's 2010 campaign.

November 5, 2014: Grimm Defeated Recchia

On November 5, 2014, Michael Grimm defeated Domenic Recchia in the general election for his congressional seat.

December 23, 2014: Grimm Pleaded Guilty to Felony Tax Fraud

On December 23, 2014, Michael Grimm pleaded guilty to a single count of felony tax fraud and acknowledged committing perjury, hiring illegal immigrants, and committing wire fraud.

December 29, 2014: Grimm Decides to Resign

On December 29, 2014, it was reported that Michael Grimm, after speaking with House Speaker John Boehner, decided to decline to take his seat for a third term and would resign from Congress.

December 30, 2014: Grimm Announced Resignation

On December 30, 2014, Michael Grimm announced that he would resign from Congress, effective January 5, 2015, after initially vowing to retain his seat.

January 5, 2015: Grimm's Resignation from Congress

On January 5, 2015, Michael Grimm's resignation from Congress took effect, following his announcement on December 30, 2014.

May 5, 2015: Daniel Donovan Jr. Won Special Election

On May 5, 2015, Daniel M. Donovan Jr. won the special election to replace Michael Grimm in Congress.

July 17, 2015: Grimm Sentenced to Prison

On July 17, 2015, Michael Grimm was sentenced to eight months in prison for tax evasion.

September 22, 2015: Grimm Began Prison Term

On September 22, 2015, Michael Grimm began his prison term for tax evasion, after a brief delay for medical treatments.

2015: Grimm Resigned from Congress

In 2015, Michael Grimm resigned from Congress after being convicted of tax fraud. He had been representing New York's 11th congressional district at the time.