The Grimm Reality

Call Grimm on VAWA -- TODAY!

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:45:00 -0500

We need YOU to call Grimm’s office today to make sure that he does! The good news is that CongressmanMichael Grimm signed onto a letter with 18 other Republicans urging the House leadership to take action on the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and pass a bill that “reaches all victims.”

The bad news is that the House is considering another watered down version of VAWA that will negatively impact protections for Native American women and strip out anti-discrimination language for LGBT individuals. This weakened version of the bill we be voted on THIS THURSDAY, February 28th!

Please, take a few minutes to call Grimm’s office (202.225.3371/local phone numbers below).

Here’s what you can say: I am a constituent from [Borough], New York, and my name is [______]. I’m calling about the Violence Against Women Act. I want to thank Congressman Grimm for signing a letter to demand action on VAWA and passing a bill that will reach all victims. I urge Congressman Grimm to stick to his convictions and vote NO on the House substitute bill and YES on the bipartisan Senate version of VAWA S.47. VAWA can and must protect all victims.

Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY 11th District) (202) 225-3371

Legis. Dir.: Aaron Ringel aaron.ringel@mail.house.gov
@repmichaelgrimm

Staten Island Office: 265 New Dorp Lane, 2nd Floor

Phone: (718) 351-1062 Fax: (718) 980-0768

Brooklyn Office: 7308 13th Avenue

Phone: (718) 630-5277 Fax: (718) 630-5388

House Ethics Committee to Investigate Grimm

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 15:31:49 -0500

The House Ethics Committee said Monday that it would begin an inquiry into whether Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) violated campaign finance laws.

First though, the committee will defer to a separate investigation from the Justice Department, which is also looking into whether Grimm, who recently won reelection over Democrat Mark Murphy, is guilty of a number of infractions.

It’s not just forced ultrasound: Abortion rights under assault

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 13:52:51 -0400

It’s not just forced ultrasound: Abortion rights under assault:

Women’s bodies are a political battleground! The Guttmacher Institute gathers data on the amount of anti-woman bills and laws being proposed and passed.

Choice Composition of the 112th Congress :: NARAL Pro-Choice America

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 12:19:48 -0400

Choice Composition of the 112th Congress :: NARAL Pro-Choice America:

NARAL has composed a chart of the numbers of Senators and Representatives that support/oppose a woman’s right to reproductive freedom. There are only 40 senators on record as being pro-choice. The opposition to women’s reproductive rights outnumbers the supporters by far. Three seats may be opening up on the Supreme Court during the next election so this election is CRUCIAL. Roe vs. Wade faces its greatest battle yet! Get out the vote!

Grimm Reality: Halloween Edition

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:17:31 -0400

Halloween: a time for terror and treats. We have one of each for you!

A terrifying reality is that Michael Grimm is up for re-election this November. He is the only rep from New York City to be a part of the recent war on women. He wants to de-fund the U.S. family planning program, hopes to diminish sex education in New York City Schools, and aims to restrict access to abortion, healthcare, and family planning services for New Yorkers.

The scariest thing we can think of this Halloween is of votes cast the weekend after for Michael Grimm. Take action and get out the vote in your local community against this man. Support Mark Murphy in his efforts against Grimm and the war on women.

And now for a treat!

NOW-NYC is having a costume contest for a NOW-Inspired Halloween outfit. Whether you dress up as the (Michael) Grimm Reaper or something else, make sure it is something creative that we would like to see! Think political activists, important champions for women’s rights, or something satirical (a woman in a binder, maybe?). The deadline for submissions in November 4th since Halloween falls mid-week this year. Send your submissions to Contact@nownyc.org with the subject line “Halloween Costume Contest.” The winner gets a free membership to NOW!

"Another day, another crybaby claim from Congressman Grimm and his collapsing campaign.” -..."

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:40:14 -0400

““Another day, another crybaby claim from Congressman Grimm and his collapsing campaign.” - Democratic opponent Mark Murphy”

- Democrat Mark Murphy brought in more campaign donations than his GOP rival, Rep. Michael Grimm, in the latest fundraising quarter.

Murphy raised $323,000 compared to Grimm’s $250,000, between July 1 and Sept. 30, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records.

Read more: http://bit.ly/TbHkwm

Murphy hammers Grimm for supporting Ryan Budget, Devastating the Middle Class

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 11:21:35 -0400

Murphy said Ryan’s budget plan “and extremist policy agenda” will “devastate the middle class and harm the lives of countless seniors.”

Murphy said Ryan’s Medicare reform proposal will “eliminate traditional Medicare as we know it” and will “overburden seniors with skyrocketing increases in costs.”

Key Fundraiser for Congressman Grimm Released on $1.5 Million Bail

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 11:19:00 -0400

An Israeli businessman and former fundraiser for Congressman Michael Grimm has been released from prison on $1.5 million bail following his recent arrest for allegedly misrepresenting his financial status while applying for a visa to the United States.

Read more: http://bit.ly/Qq2SA4

Hothead Grimm Compares Office Vandalism to Shooting of Gabrielle Giffords

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 11:25:05 -0400

First Grimm claims that the vandalism against his office was politically motivated and included wiping his office computers clean of memory and important documents. Then Grimm compares the vandalism to the Arizona shooting of Rep Gabrielle Giffords. All the while, the vandalism was carried out by a group of 13-year olds and was not in fact politically motivated.

From the S.I. Advance:

“Instead of waiting for the N.Y.P.D. to finish their investigations, the Congressman jumped to conclusions by declaring it a political conspiracy. The congressman went so far as to compare it to the tragic shootings in Tucson, Arizona that left six people dead and multiple people wounded - including Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. Such a statement is inexcusable and defies logic.”

He added: “Congressman Grimm should apologize at once for making that statement since it is appears that the whole rush to judgment on his part was merely an act of juvenile vandalism. “

Mark Murphy Questions Michael Grimm’s...

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 10:29:17 -0400

Mark Murphy Questions Michael Grimm’s “Characters” And “Character”

Will Grimm Plead for Leniency for Fundraiser Like He Did for Fraudster?

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 11:57:42 -0400

When Congressman Michael Grimm’s (NY-11) good friend Thomas Kontogiannis was convicted of bribery, Congressman Grimm shamelessly sent a letter to the judge asking for leniency. Now that Congressman Grimm’s top fundraiser, Ofer Biton, has been arrested by the FBI, will Grimm repeat the gesture? Biton is asking a judge for leniency today, and the only question is whether his buddy Congressman Grimm will be there to lend a helping hand.

“Congressman Grimm has surrounded himself with criminals for years, even lobbying judges to show leniency to a convicted fraudster,” said Josh Schwerin, Northeast Press Secretary at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Many observers already believe Biton’s arrest was connected to the ongoing FBI investigation into Congressman Grimm himself, so it would come as no surprise if Grimm were to help his fundraiser out and repeat the favor he already performed for a convicted fraudster.”

Read the full story: http://bit.ly/Oltc1H

Rep. Michael Grimm’s top fundraiser denied bail as he faces new federal extortion charges

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:03:23 -0400

THE FEDS are turning up the heat on Rep. Michael Grimm’s top fundraiser, who was denied bail Friday and faces stepped-up extortion charges.

Grimm, a former FBI agent, has denied any wrongdoing.

DNC Calls Out Grimm as "Ethically Challenged"

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 16:08:15 -0400

“At the event, Grimm, whose fundraising is being investigated, was listed with two other GOP lawmakers on a wall poster as “ethically challenged” Republicans in the House, Island Democrats said.”

Grimm Donors Connected to Porn Industry

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 22:05:16 -0400

When he announced his run for congress in the fall of 2009, future U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm, then a political novice, sorely needed a rainmaker who could get the dollars flowing to his nascent campaign. He found one in an Israeli rabbi, Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto.

Now, that fruitful association has turned into a big headache for the Staten Island Republican — one involving allegations of illegal donations, a bizarre blackmail claim and potentially embarrassing associations with people in the pornography business.

…

Campaign records and other public documents make it clear, however, that after tapping the rabbi’s followers for money, Grimm wound up getting help from people who candidates normally keep at arm’s length.

One of the rabbi’s closest aides, Benzion Suky, owned a company that distributed porn videos and has settled lawsuits by adult film studios who accused him of selling bootlegged DVDs, according to court records. Suky and his wife gave a combined $9,600 to Grimm’s 2010 campaign and a real estate partnership that lists Suky as its managing member gave $4,800, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Another big donor was Rafi Maman, proprietor of companies in North Bergen, N.J., that distribute adult films and sex toys. He also has settled lawsuits accusing him of bootlegging, including two which also named Suky as a defendant. Maman, his wife and a real estate partnership that he listed as his employer gave $19,200 to Grimm’s campaign. That total includes $7,200 in individual contributions from Maman, or $2,400 more than is allowed by law.

A third Grimm contributor, Eli Halali, is listed in business records as the agent of another company that distributed pornographic movies. His name also appears on at least one such video, “Blonde & Beautiful Vol. 1,” as the keeper of records verifying that the film’s performers were over age 18. He gave $4,800. Two apparent relatives, Bluria Halali and Jaclyn Halali, each contributed $4,800.

Read the full story: http://wapo.st/OT0ylj

Murphy has Clear Path to Victory over Grimm

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:28:13 -0400

Democratic congressional hopeful Mark Murphy is releasing an internal poll this afternoon that his campaign says gives him a path to victory against incumbent Congressman Michael Grimm. The numbers give Mr. Grimm a 48% to 36% lead, which represents a decent amount of ground needed to make up by Election Day.

“This is a very encouraging poll for Mark Murphy. Congressman Grimm starts below the 50% mark – a sign of weakness for an incumbent,” Jeffrey Plaut, whose firm Global Strategy Group conducted the poll, said in a statement . ”Short introductions to both candidates move the race to a tie. And the more voters hear about Grimm and the questionable company he keeps, the more they prefer Murphy.”

Grimm constituents stage Grimm Reaper March - Protestors...

Sat, 25 Aug 2012 10:56:40 -0400

Grimm constituents stage Grimm Reaper March - Protestors marched to Congressman Grimm’s Brooklyn Office. Along the way protestors passed out “checks” from Representative Grimm made out to the wealthiest Americans for $160,000 a year. The checks, including a banner-sized one held by marchers, symbolized the vote Grimm cast before leaving on August vacation that gives $160,000 a year in tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans who make over $1 million a year while raising taxes on 25 million working families.

“Why are our representatives, like Mr. Grimm, destroying Medicare and Medicaid so they can give more tax breaks to their rich fundraisers?” asked Eric Smith, a VOCAL-NY member who marched today. “His attacks on healthcare are literally a matter of life and death for people like me.”

Grimm apparently attended a late-night pants-off dance-off at the Sea of Galilee last year

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:48:44 -0400

Nearly three dozen GOP lawmakers are in a PR nightmare this a.m. after reports surfaced that — after a night of drinking in Israel last year — they took a boozy, late-night swim in the Sea of Galilee.

Congressman Michael Grimm joined about 30 GOP congressman in the night of biblical debauchery — but he apparently kept his clothes on (the same can not be said for other GOP representatives).

Many of the lawmakers cited religious reasons for diving into the sea. Others admitted that booze may have been a factor.

The FBI investigated the incident, which happened during a privately funded “fact-finding” trip paid for by American Israel Educational Foundation, a pro-Israel advocacy group. The trip cost the group about $10,000 per person.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor was none too pleased when learning of the late-night swim. From Politico:

But Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), who was the senior most GOP lawmaker in Israel on the trip, was so upset about the antics that he rebuked the 30 lawmakers the morning after the Aug. 18, 2011, incident, saying they were distracting from the mission of the trip.

Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was also on the privately funded excursion, which means two of the three top House Republicans were a part of this trip. Neither Cantor nor McCarthy went swimming that night, the sources said. Some of their staff did.

Read the full story: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2012/08/congressman_mic.php

BREAKING: FBI Arrests Former Top Fundraiser for Rep Grimm

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 10:47:21 -0400

Israeli citizen Ofer Biton’s arrest is the first bust of anyone targeted in a broader federal probe of allegations that Grimm accepted illegal campaign contributions.

"Typically, as New Yorkers, we have to look elsewhere if we want to make a difference–to Ohio, or..."

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 10:40:42 -0400

““Typically, as New Yorkers, we have to look elsewhere if we want to make a difference–to Ohio, or Pennsylvania or Florida…If you want to protect the country from the Tea Party, you can do it really nearby, starting with the district in Staten Island and southern Brooklyn which is currently held by a Republican and needs to be changed and I think can and will be changed.” NYC Public Advocate Bill de Blasio”

"Murphy said he hoped Grimm “enjoyed watching the footage after the event and seeing our..."

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 11:31:52 -0400

“

Murphy said he hoped Grimm “enjoyed watching the footage after the event and seeing our campaign connect with people who can’t wait to vote him out of office.”
Staten Island’s Mark Murphy gets his closeup — courtesy of the GOP

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has dispatched a “tracker” to videotape Democrat Murphy’s public appearances.

”

- http://bit.ly/R4EaHU