Romney Returned Michael Grimm's Shady Cash-- Other Republicans, Like Charlie Bass And Richard Tisei Are Happy To Have It

The Romney-Ryan campaign has made it very clear-- even publicly clear-- that they don't want the two Mafia-connected Republican congressmen, Michael "Mikey Suits" Grimm (Staten Island) and David "The Gangster" Rivera (Miami), both under FBI criminal investigation, anywhere near the campaign. Romney returned the $2,500 check Grimm sent his campaign. The only Mob money Romney is allowing this year has to be funneled through Las Vegas and Macau crime boss Sheldon Adelson.

Grimm's shady political action committee, the Grass Roots Initiative To Maintain Our Majority PAC (AKA- the GrimmPAC) has raised $97,680 so far this cycle, the biggest contributors being the American Resort Development Association, same day lenders and a couple of shady right-wing unions that support anti-working family conservatives. Aside from $5,000 to Romney (of which $2,500 was returned), the 10 biggest recipients of Grimm's shady cash have been:

• Charlie Bass (R-NH)- $2,000
• Maggie Brooks (R-NY)- $2,000
• Ann Marie Buerkle (R-NY)- $2,000
• Matt Doheny (R-NY)- $2,000
• Chris Gibson (R-NY)- $2,000
• Ricky Gill (R-CA)- $2,000
• Adam Kinzinger (R-IL)- $2,000
• Danny Tarkanian (R-NV)- $2,000
• Richard Tisei (R-MA)- $2,000
• David Valadao (R-CA)- $2,000

Mitt Romney returned a $2,500 contribution from scandal-scarred Rep. Michael Grimm’s leadership PAC, Grassroots Initiative to Retain Our Majority, just four days after he received it, FEC records show... Grimm was once one of Romney’s most outspoken New York supporters, even traveling to New Hampshire during the GOP primary in January to act as a surrogate on the former governor’s behalf.

Politico reported yesterday that Grimm had every intention of going to the debate, even though the Romney camp has asked him to stay away from their public events. A Grimm spokesperson told them, kind of defiantly, that "Tonight, Rep. Michael G. Grimm (R-NYC) will attend the presidential debate at Hofstra University. He was the first Member of Congress in NY State to endorse Governor Romney and the second in the northeast (after Senator Scott Brown)." Politico reports that the Romney camp didn't respond about the threat on a Grimm incident.

Grimm's Democratic opponent, Mark Murphy, is making the most he can from Grimm's misfortune (oh-- and Grimm's criminal activities). An e-mail to his supporters starts with an amusing paragraph: "Yesterday, Congressman Grimm held a press conference closed to the public. He whined to three reporters that the liberal media is lying about his scandals. According to Grimm, FOX News and the New York Post are the 'liberal media.' He went on to cry foul about us talking about his record, but only a few days ago another one of Grimm's associates was arrested."


And speaking of last night's debate-- whether Grimm was able to sneak in or not-- here's President Obama's closing statement:

UPDATE: Wanda Rohl (IL-16) Responds

Republicans taking shady Mob money from Grimm are being held accountable by Democrats running against them. Below you'll find part of a press release that Wanda Rohl sent out this morning. Guidance to media was "Democratic Congressional Candidate Wanda Rohl (IL-16) responds to new campaign donation investigations and alleged mafia ties.

Follow the Money: Congressman Kinzinger lines his $1.7 million bankroll with mob money even Mitt Romney wouldn't touch

In addition to Big Oil, energy companies, secretive PAC's and shady corporations, we've now learned that Congressman Adam Kinzinger is also having his strings pulled by notorious corrupt New York congressman Mike Grimm (R-NY).

This new revelation comes on the heels of the federal investigation of a $25,000 donation from Congressional leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) to Congressman Kinzinger that was orchestrated by Kinzinger's Washington ally and close friend, Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL), who was recently named one of the most corrupt legislators in the U.S. Congress by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

Congressman Grimm set up a shadow PAC named after himself (GrimmPAC) to funnel at least $2,000 in campaign cash to Congressman Kinzinger. A week ago Federal prosecutors revealed that Grimm's partner in a New York restaurant, Bennett Orfaly, is tied to the New York Gambino family. Grimm's largest campaign contributor was indicted last month for immigration fraud.

The Romney-Ryan campaign has returned Grimm's $2,500 campaign donation, publicly dismissed Grimm’s support of their campaign, and asked him not to attend their campaign events including the Presidential debate at Hofstra University on Tuesday.