What happened to Michael Grimm? GoFundMe raises more than $77,000 for congressman left paralyzed in horse accident
Former New York congressman Michael Grimm was left paralyzed after a horseriding accident in September. According to a GoFundMe campaign set up on Sunday, November 10, 2024, the 54-year-old fell off the steed, leading to "the most devastating of situations."
The campaign, organized by the Michael Grimm Supplemental Needs Trust, hoped to raise money for the extensive care and treatment.
"He has been in the most devastating of situations and through the grace of God, Mr. Grimm has miraculously thread the needle to survive. Yet, his ongoing care and the treatment to walk again will cost millions of dollars."
According to a report by the New York Post, Grimm's friend explained that he was thrown off a horse while playing polo, adding that he had been left paralyzed from the chest down.
"A lot of prayers are needed"—Michael Grimm's friend Vincent Ignizio shares update about his condition
Vincent Ignizio, former South Shore City congressman and current deputy executive director of the New York City Board of Elections, updated the New York Post on Michael Grimm's condition, stating:
"He’s currently immobilized and is currently being treated to try to give him the function that he can obtain. A lot of prayers are needed."
Ignizio later took to his Facebook to request "prayers and donations."
The GoFundMe campaign has been set to $2.5 million, with over $77,000 raised as of this writing.
Per the page, Grimm is a military veteran and also previously worked as an FBI agent. The councilman represented Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn in the House of Representatives from 2010 to 2015.
According to the New York Post, the former congressman is being treated at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in New Jersey. This is the same institute where Superman actor Christopher Reeve received treatment after a fall from a horse left him paralyzed neck down.
The publication, citing the GoFundMe page, revealed former Brooklyn councilman, former Brooklyn City Councilman Domenic Recchia, donated $250 to the cause. Recchia called it a "tragic accident" and hoped to see Grimm walk again. He explained:
“This isn’t a Democratic or Republican issue. It’s a human issue. He’s a human being. Michael Grimm gave his life for our country in the Armed Services. We have to unite together"
New York Assemblyman and chairman of the Staten Island Republican Party, Michael Tannousis, too, pleaded for Grimm's case. Noting his military service, he urged everyone to "come together as one community."
Michael Grimm was indicted for tax evasion and fraud in 2014
Grimm, hailing from Queens, New York, is a former Republican politician. According to a press release by the United States Attorney's Office, the former congressman was indicted for 20 counts, including mail fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion, among others. It claimed he underreported over a million dollars of income from his Upper East Side restaurant.
While Grimm pleaded not guilty to all accusations levied. He was released on a $400,000 bond but eventually sentenced to eight months (he finished serving his sentence in September 2015).
Michael Grimm unsuccessfully campaigned again in 2018.
Grimm or his representative have not publicly reacted to the development.