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I'll throw you off this f***ing balcony," Grimm said.
N.Y. congressman apologizes after threatening to throw reporter off balcony
updated 11:41 a.m. ET
Washington (CNN) – After first defending his actions, Rep. Michael Grimm, R-New York, apologized Wednesday for physically threatening a NY1 News reporter at the Capitol.
"I was wrong. I shouldn't have allowed my emotions to get the better of me and lose my cool," Grimm said in a statement. "I have apologized to Michael Scotto, which he graciously accepted, and will be scheduling a lunch soon."
Scotto, the reporter, confirmed that he spoke with Grimm Wednesday morning.
It started when Grimm, who's under investigation by the Justice Department for illegal fundraising during his 2010 campaign, walked away from an on-camera interview Tuesday night after the State of the Union address. Grimm stormed off when Scotto tried to ask him questions about the campaign finance allegations.
"Alright, so Congressman Michael Grimm does not want to talk about the allegations concerning his campaign finances," Scotto said. "We wanted to get him on camera on that, but he, as you saw, refused to talk about that. Back to you."
With the camera still rolling, Grimm surged toward the reporter, who appeared visibly surprised.
The second-term congressman, who's also a former Marine and former FBI agent, spoke aggressively to Scotto for about 20 seconds.
NY1, a CNN affiliate, broadcast the confrontation late Tuesday night, though it bleeped out the obscenities.
"Let me be clear to you: If you ever do that to me again, I'll throw you off this f***ing balcony," Grimm said.
Scotto replied that he was just trying to ask "a valid question."
"No, no. You're not man enough, you're not man enough. I'll break you in half, like a boy," Grimm replied.
First elected in 2010, Grimm represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. In a statement late Tuesday night to NY1, he said he was "extremely annoyed" because he was "doing NY1 a favor by rushing to do their interview first in lieu of several other requests."
"The reporter knew that I was in a hurry and was only there to comment on the State of the Union, but insisted on taking a disrespectful and cheap shot at the end of the interview, because I did not have time to speak off-topic," he added.
"I verbally took the reporter to task and told him off, because I expect a certain level of professionalism and respect, especially when I go out of my way to do that reporter a favor."
Scotto said he didn't expect much of a reaction to the question.
"I was surprised about his reaction," Scotto said Wednesday morning on CNN's New Day. "I'm a New York City reporter. I'm used to pushback but I never encountered anything like that"
Asked by CNN anchor Chris Cuomo if he thought the threat was real, Scotto said "I don't believe the substance of the threat at all. I'm not taking it personal. I just think he was angry by the fact that I asked that question and I think he was even more angry by the fact that I kind of explained to viewers why he was not going to answer that question."
Scotto added that there were no preconditions when he spoke to the Grimm before the interview started.
NY1 Political Director Bob Hardt also released a statement, calling the congressman's behavior "unacceptable."
"It is extremely disturbing when anyone threatens one of our reporters – let alone a U.S. Congressman. The NY1 family is certainly alarmed and disappointed by the behavior of Representative Grimm and demands a full apology from him. This behavior is unacceptable," reads the statement.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which has long been targeting Grimm over the allegations, was quick to push out the confrontation in an e-mail blast to reporters Tuesday night.
Grimm has been known to get testy with reporters in the past, including on CNN's "The Situation Room" last fall.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/01/29/new-york-congressman-threatens-to-throw-reporter-off-balcony/?hpt=hp_c2
updated 11:41 a.m. ET
Washington (CNN) – After first defending his actions, Rep. Michael Grimm, R-New York, apologized Wednesday for physically threatening a NY1 News reporter at the Capitol.
"I was wrong. I shouldn't have allowed my emotions to get the better of me and lose my cool," Grimm said in a statement. "I have apologized to Michael Scotto, which he graciously accepted, and will be scheduling a lunch soon."
Scotto, the reporter, confirmed that he spoke with Grimm Wednesday morning.
It started when Grimm, who's under investigation by the Justice Department for illegal fundraising during his 2010 campaign, walked away from an on-camera interview Tuesday night after the State of the Union address. Grimm stormed off when Scotto tried to ask him questions about the campaign finance allegations.
"Alright, so Congressman Michael Grimm does not want to talk about the allegations concerning his campaign finances," Scotto said. "We wanted to get him on camera on that, but he, as you saw, refused to talk about that. Back to you."
With the camera still rolling, Grimm surged toward the reporter, who appeared visibly surprised.
The second-term congressman, who's also a former Marine and former FBI agent, spoke aggressively to Scotto for about 20 seconds.
NY1, a CNN affiliate, broadcast the confrontation late Tuesday night, though it bleeped out the obscenities.
"Let me be clear to you: If you ever do that to me again, I'll throw you off this f***ing balcony," Grimm said.
Scotto replied that he was just trying to ask "a valid question."
"No, no. You're not man enough, you're not man enough. I'll break you in half, like a boy," Grimm replied.
First elected in 2010, Grimm represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. In a statement late Tuesday night to NY1, he said he was "extremely annoyed" because he was "doing NY1 a favor by rushing to do their interview first in lieu of several other requests."
"The reporter knew that I was in a hurry and was only there to comment on the State of the Union, but insisted on taking a disrespectful and cheap shot at the end of the interview, because I did not have time to speak off-topic," he added.
"I verbally took the reporter to task and told him off, because I expect a certain level of professionalism and respect, especially when I go out of my way to do that reporter a favor."
Scotto said he didn't expect much of a reaction to the question.
"I was surprised about his reaction," Scotto said Wednesday morning on CNN's New Day. "I'm a New York City reporter. I'm used to pushback but I never encountered anything like that"
Asked by CNN anchor Chris Cuomo if he thought the threat was real, Scotto said "I don't believe the substance of the threat at all. I'm not taking it personal. I just think he was angry by the fact that I asked that question and I think he was even more angry by the fact that I kind of explained to viewers why he was not going to answer that question."
Scotto added that there were no preconditions when he spoke to the Grimm before the interview started.
NY1 Political Director Bob Hardt also released a statement, calling the congressman's behavior "unacceptable."
"It is extremely disturbing when anyone threatens one of our reporters – let alone a U.S. Congressman. The NY1 family is certainly alarmed and disappointed by the behavior of Representative Grimm and demands a full apology from him. This behavior is unacceptable," reads the statement.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which has long been targeting Grimm over the allegations, was quick to push out the confrontation in an e-mail blast to reporters Tuesday night.
Grimm has been known to get testy with reporters in the past, including on CNN's "The Situation Room" last fall.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/01/29/new-york-congressman-threatens-to-throw-reporter-off-balcony/?hpt=hp_c2
Even I didn't think Zimmerman when Teko mentioned the stand your ground law reference !
Stand your ground brought to us by the Koch brothers has resulted in killing innocent people including more than one who were hurt in car accidents and went to seek help but instead got shot.
Stand your ground brought to us by the Koch brothers has resulted in killing innocent people including more than one who were hurt in car accidents and went to seek help but instead got shot.
Are you familiar with the FLORIDA stand your ground law! Obviously not. Here is a clue. See if you can make the connection?
The new law only requires law enforcement and the justice system to ask three questions in self-defense cases: Did the defendant have the right to be there? Was he engaged in a lawful activity? Could he reasonably have been in fear of death or great bodily harm?
Without convincing evidence to the contrary, "stand your ground'' protection prevails.
If this happened in florida the reporter could have "stood his ground", get it now? No?
The new law only requires law enforcement and the justice system to ask three questions in self-defense cases: Did the defendant have the right to be there? Was he engaged in a lawful activity? Could he reasonably have been in fear of death or great bodily harm?
Without convincing evidence to the contrary, "stand your ground'' protection prevails.
If this happened in florida the reporter could have "stood his ground", get it now? No?
Please tell me you were not thinking Zimmerman when you wrote that post. Please tell me you were not. Then we can watch your nose grow.
Imagine if Obama said that?..lol
Gee Vance! I dont see anywhere in my post where I mention zimmerman. See you point to a very real issue where you see and hear what ya want to.When ya want to, how ya want to, nuff said.
Good job connecting Zimmerman to this case...well done.
Its a good thing the reporter didnt have a gun! Here in Fl we call that standing your ground when someone approaches and threatens you like that!
I understand this guy has a reputation of bullish, barrish, take it outside behavior.
I understand this guy has a reputation of bullish, barrish, take it outside behavior.
Doubtful....
I wonder what would have happened if the camera had not been rolling? Anyone other than me hear that splat! He should be in jail. That is where I would be, or you would be. Its assault is it not? ???
Of course, I have. But, I do it with a touch of aplomb.
"And now he's walking it back just like crybabies always do....teeheehee.
He shoots his big mouth off without thinking it through and now he has to come crawling back to say he's sorry....boohoohoo "
You've never crawled back to apologize?
He shoots his big mouth off without thinking it through and now he has to come crawling back to say he's sorry....boohoohoo "
You've never crawled back to apologize?
You're definitely a big crybaby but then again, you always have been
The liberal media in D.C. is tantamount photo-chasing paparazzi, looking for a story to use against anyone that strays too far to the Right.
I'm not surprised by what he said & did, and quite frankly, "sticks & stones".
They were WORDS people.
Since when did this nation get so caught up in being "PC"? Oh wait, stupid question... this is Liberal'land.
"I'll break you in half and throw you off this balcony"... SO WHAT??? He SAID it, he didn't DO it.
Or am I being a naive crybaby?
I'm not surprised by what he said & did, and quite frankly, "sticks & stones".
They were WORDS people.
Since when did this nation get so caught up in being "PC"? Oh wait, stupid question... this is Liberal'land.
"I'll break you in half and throw you off this balcony"... SO WHAT??? He SAID it, he didn't DO it.
Or am I being a naive crybaby?
I'm hysterical just imagining that.
Splattered all over the sidewalk!!
Man, that's too funny!
You sure do have a refined sense of humor there big fella.
Yuk, yuk, yuk hardee dar
Splattered all over the sidewalk!!
Man, that's too funny!
You sure do have a refined sense of humor there big fella.
Yuk, yuk, yuk hardee dar
I know he should sack up and really throw someone off a balcony. Just would just be the funniest thing in the world.
And now he's walking it back just like crybabies always do....teeheehee.
He shoots his big mouth off without thinking it through and now he has to come crawling back to say he's sorry....boohoohoo
He shoots his big mouth off without thinking it through and now he has to come crawling back to say he's sorry....boohoohoo
Why are more congressmen not like him? Could make the Halls of Congress an interesting place.
Teeheehee
Crybaby....
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