New York Representative Threatens to Break Reporter in Half Following SOTU
New York Representative Michael Grimm did not take kindly to NY1's line of questioning following the State of the Union address.
.New York Representative Michael Grimm did not take kindly to NY1's line of questioning following the State of the Union address. Visibly upset, he walked off-camera before reporter Mike Scotto could question him about an arrest pertaining to his campaign's financials.
And that really should have been the end of it. But Grimm came back to threaten Scotto when, I guess, he forgot that cameras have a record function that saves footage for later use.
It's muffled, but according to NY1's Political Director:
@mikiebarb @eorden @repmichaelgrimm @mikescotto He threatened to throw him over the balcony and then said "I will break you in half" more tk
— Bob Hardt (@Bobmagic01) January 29, 2014The quickly interrupted line of questioning that angered Grimm pertained to the arrest of Diana Durand, a campaign donor who was arrested a couple weeks ago on charges that she used straw donors to contribute more than the legally allowed maximum to Grimm's Congressional campaign. The FBI deposition lists a Candidate A that Grimm's lawyer has confirmed is the congressman.
Update, 12:13 a.m.: Grimm has released a statement on the incident.
NEW: Statement from @repmichaelgrimm: pic.twitter.com/6eXEgkBVya
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) January 29, 2014Update, 12:30 a.m.:
(1/3) Statement from me: "“It is extremely disturbing when anyone threatens one of our reporters – let alone a U.S. Congressman."
— Bob Hardt (@Bobmagic01) January 29, 2014 (2/3) “The NY1 family is certainly alarmed and disappointed by the behavior of Representative Grimm and demands a full apology from him."
— Bob Hardt (@Bobmagic01) January 29, 2014 (3/3) “This behavior is unacceptable.” -- NY1 Political Director Bob Hardt
— Bob Hardt (@Bobmagic01) January 29, 2014