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January 30, 2014

New York Congressmember Apologizes After Threatening Reporter on Camera 
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A New York Congressmember has apologized after being caught on tape
threatening a television reporter's life. In an interview following
Tuesday night's State of the Union, Republican Rep. Michael Grimm lashed
out at NY1's Michael Scotto for questioning him about alleged campaign
finance violations.

Michael Scotto: "All right. So, Congressman Michael Grimm does not want
to talk about some of the allegations concerning his campaign finances.
We wanted to get him on-camera on that but he, as you saw, refused to
talk about that. Back to you. … What? I just wanted to talk to you."

Rep. Michael Grimm: "Let me be clear to you, you ever do that to me
again I'll throw you off this f———g balcony."

Michael Scotto: "Why? I just wanted to ask you..."

Rep. Michael Grimm: "If you ever do that to me again."

Michael Scotto: "Why? Why? This is—, it's a valid question."

Rep. Michael Grimm: "No, no, you're not man enough, you're not man
enough. I'll break you in half. Like a boy."

Grimm initially refused NY1's demand for an apology, saying he had done
the network "a favor by rushing to do their interview in lieu of several
other requests." But he later issued a statement saying he called Scotto
personally to express regret. Other reporters have now come forward to
claim prior instances of Grimm's verbal abuse.

 

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