Romney Campaign Returns Grimm Cash

By on October 17, 2012  Politics
Oct 172012
 

The Albany Times Union is reporting that the Mitt Romney campaign “returned a $2,500 contribution from scandal-scarred Rep. Michael Grimm’s leadership PAC, Grassroots Initiative to Retain Our Majority” just days after receiving the funds in September, as indicated by Federal Election Commission records.

A Political Action Committee, or PAC, is a group formed to receive or spend more than $1,000 for the purpose of influencing a federal election, according to the Federal Election Campaign Act.

Liz Benjamin writes via the Times Union blog Capitol Confidential that, while Grimm’s PAC had sent $2,500 to Romney earlier in the year, the latest contribution still falls within the annual legal limit of $5,000 per election.

This development raises some serious questions – namely why Romney is continuing to distance himself from one of his staunchest New York supporters. Continue reading »

FBI Continues Probe Into Grimm’s Campaign Finances

By on June 21, 2012  Politics
Jun 212012
 

Yesterday, Politicker’s Colin Campbell broke the news that the FBI is apparently continuing its investigation into allegations of illegal fundraising during Congressman Michael Grimm’s 2010 campaign.

The report states that the FBI “has been speaking to at least one individual” connected to Rep. Grimm. The individual in question, speaking with Campbell on the condition of anonymity, confirmed rumors to that effect.

A New York Times story from January of this year drew attention to followers of Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto, who allege that Grimm – along with Ofer Biton, a former aide to Rabbi Pinto – illegally raised funds using methods that included strong-arm tactics such as extortion. Continue reading »