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New York Congressman Resigns Amid Federal Tax Evasion Trial: Reports

© REUTERS / Stephanie KeithU.S. Representative Michael Grimm of New York is photographed ahead of a news conference following his guilty plea at the Brooklyn federal court in New York in this December 23, 2014
U.S. Representative Michael Grimm of New York is photographed ahead of a news conference following his guilty plea at the Brooklyn federal court in New York in this December 23, 2014 - Sputnik International
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US Congressman Michael Grimm decided to step down from Congress after pleading guilty to charges of tax evasion, fraud and perjury in a New York federal court.

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MOSCOW, December 30 (Sputnik) — US Congressman Michael Grimm resigned a week after pleading guilty to charges of tax evasion, fraud and perjury in a New York federal court, The Hill reported Tuesday.

"After much thought and prayer, I have made the very difficult decision to step down from Congress," Grimm was quoted by The Hill as saying in a statement.

Last Tuesday, Grimm pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and has reportedly admitted to committing fraud and perjury. Despite a 20-count indictment following a two-year investigation, Grimm was reelected in the November midterm elections that saw the Republican Party sweep into power.

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The Republican lawmaker's resignation will take effect on January 5, 2015, two days after the 114th Congress begins work. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to declare a special election to fill Grimm's seat no more than three months after his announcement.

In January, Grimm was videotaped threatening to throw a reporter off a Capitol Hill balcony when asked about an investigation into financial violations that occurred during his campaign.

The 44-year-old former FBI agent and businessman is accused of failing to declaring more than $1 million in wages and receipts, as well as hiring undocumented workers in his health food restaurant from 2007 to 2010.

According to a Pew Research study released on Monday, a year-end surge in passed legislation helped the 113th legislature narrowly avoid the distinction of being the "least productive Congress in modern history."

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