STATEN ISLAND — Rep. Michael Grimm announced late Monday he would resign from his post, almost a week after he pleaded guilty to tax fraud and promised to stay in office.
Grimm admitted underreporting profits and wages at Healthalicious, an Upper East Side eatery he co-owned. The charge stemmed from a 20-count federal indictment he'd previously called a "political witch hunt."
"The events which led to this day did not break my spirit, nor the will of the voters," Grimm said in a statement.
"However, I do not believe that I can continue to be 100% effective in the next Congress, and therefore, out of respect for the office and the people I so proudly represent, it is time for me to start the next chapter of my life."
After his plea last week, Grimm defiantly told reporters outside court that he would keep his seat, which he was reelected to in November, as long as he was "able to serve."
While Grimm expected to stay in office, he was reportedly pushed to step aside by House Speaker John Boehner on Monday night, the New York Daily News reported.
His resignation means a special election would have to be called by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, with District Attorney Dan Donovan, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis and State Sen. Andrew Lanza expected to vie for the Republican nomination, the Daily News reported.
"I am deeply flattered by the enthusiastic expressions of support I have received over the last 12 hours, and I am very seriously considering the race," Donovan said in a statement.
"I will make an announcement after the due deliberation such an important decision deserves."
Democratic candidates for the seat reportedly could include Assemblyman Michael Cusick and former Congressman Michael McMahon, who lost his seat to Grimm in 2011.
Grimm, a former FBI agent and marine, has had numerous scandals since he first took the post. He was initially under investigation for fundraising fraud during his first campaign, which led to the conviction of two people linked to the fundraising efforts.
Last January, he came under fire after he threatened to throw a NY1 reporter off a balcony and break him in half "like a boy" after the reporter asked him about the investigation into his campaign fundraising.
With his guilty plea to tax fraud, Grimm could face a maximum of three years in prison. His sentencing hearing is set for June 8, 2015.
