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          Former NY Congressmen Draws Prison Sentence for Tax Evasion

   by VOA News

   A former U.S. congressman from New York was sentenced Friday to eight
   months in prison for tax evasion.

   Michael Grimm, a Republican who represented the New York City borough
   of Staten Island, pleaded guilty last year of filing a false tax
   return.

   A Brooklyn court judge said Grimm's "moral compass" needed adjustment.

   Prosecutors had sought at least two years behind bars, while defense
   lawyers called on the judge not to impose prison time, saying Grimm's
   crime was an "aberration" in a life of public service.

   Prosecutors accused Grimm of underreporting nearly $1 million in
   employee wages at a restaurant he co-owned, in part by paying illegal
   immigrant workers in cash.

   Grimm won re-election last year despite his indictment on federal tax
   evasion charges. He stepped down from his office in December after
   pressure from Republican leadership.

   The tax evasion charges stemmed from an investigation into the
   lawmaker's campaign financing.

   Grimm gained notoriety when he threatened to throw a local reporter off
   the balcony of the Capitol for asking about the campaign finance
   investigation.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/former-new-york-congressman-draws-pri
   son-term-tax-evasion/2866893.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/former-new-york-congressman-draws-prison-term-tax-evasion/2866893.html