Despite being hit with a 20-count federal indictment last week, U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm told radio host Geraldo Rivera on Tuesday that he considers himself one of the "luckiest members of congress," POLITICO reported.
"In all sincerity, I am one of the most - strange, it might sound bizarre - but I really am one of the luckiest members of Congress," he told Rivera. "And I say that because I have salt-of-the-earth people in my district. Staten Island and southwest Brooklyn are just goodhearted, hardworking, regular, everyday people."
Grimm, a Republican, represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. The charges against him include filing false tax returns, mail and wire fraud, hiring undocumented workers, perjury, and obstruction during the time he owned a New York City restaurant.
Additionally, the indictment claims he didn't report over $1 million in income from the restaurant.
He told Rivera that the entire ordeal has been "horrific."
"I'm holding up well. Obviously, it's a horrific thing. I wouldn't wish it on my enemies. But I'm doing rather well," he said.
Yesterday, Grimm's ex-girlfriend and former fundraiser pleaded not guilty to charges alleging she was involved in a straw donor scheme.
Diana Durand entered the plea through her attorney one week after Grimm pleaded not guilty to his charges.
Her attorney, Stuart Kaplan, portrayed her as a scapegoat in a two-year investigation of Grimm's campaign finances that prosecutors say uncovered the alleged tax evasion but has failed to produce any campaign finance charges against Grimm himself, according to Reuters.
Kaplan claimed Durand has no knowledge of how campaign financing works, adding he expects the case to go to trial. He described the former couple as still being close but out of touch because "each one is struggling with their own situation."
