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Michael Grimm Asks Judge For Bail Change, Says He Needs to Work in Europe

By Nicholas Rizzi | March 5, 2015 1:07pm
 Former Rep. Michael Grimm asked a court to modify his bail so he can travel to Europe for a job opportunity.
Former Rep. Michael Grimm asked a court to modify his bail so he can travel to Europe for a job opportunity.
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DNAinfo/Nicholas Rizzi

STATEN ISLAND — Disgraced former congressman Michael Grimm wants permission to work in Europe.

Grimm's lawyers filed a motion in Brooklyn court to ask a judge to modify his bail to let him travel to Europe for a week in the spring for an "employment opportunity," according to court papers.

"Mr. Grimm is pursuing an employment opportunity with a company doing business abroad which would require him to travel to Europe for approximately one week in the spring of 2015," according to the motion, first reported by the Staten Island Advance.

"He will be unable to meet the responsibilities of this potential employment if his bond is not modified to allow travel during that one week period."

Court papers did not reveal the company or position the former congressman was pursuing.

Grimm, 44, pleaded guilty in December to tax fraud for hiding more than $1 million in profits from an Upper East Side eatery he co-owned. The former third-term congressman copped to underreporting sales receipts in 2009, as well as workers' salaries. He agreed to restitution to the government under the plea.

Almost a week after the plea, Grimm announced he would resign from his Congress seat where he served the 11th Congressional District — which covers Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn.

A special election to fill the vacant seat was set for May 5, with District Attorney Dan Donovan running for the Republicans and Brooklyn Councilman Vincent Gentile running for the Democrats.

Under the terms of his current bail, Grimm is not allowed to travel outside of the country.

If approved, Grimm would have to set a detailed itinerary of his travel plans. Grimm's laywer, Daniel Rashbaum, had no comment for the story.

Grimm could face a maximum of three years in prison for his guilty plea to tax fraud. His sentencing is set for June 8.