Former Undercover FBI Agent Joins S.I. Congressional Race
By NATALIE RIX
Updated 6:45 AM EST, Mon, Nov 16, 2009
Michael Grimm, a former undercover FBI agent, is hoping to trade in his fake mobster moniker "Mikey Suits" for a different title--Republican congressman for Staten Island, reports The New York Daily News.
The conservative Republican lawyer has lived on Staten Island for 15 years and worked for the FBI for nine. He's now turning to politics after serving in the Gulf and Iraq War. He said the decision is based on his belief that "the country is headed in the wrong direction."
"I've never been one to sit on the couch and complain," said the former Marine.
His job has never involved being passive. As an FBI agent his most successful role was on "Operation Wooden Nickel" where he helped send more than 50 white collar criminals to jail after posing as a crooked Wall Street trader for two years.
One of the criminals Grimm is responsible for putting behind bars is making an appearance in his political career. Michael Allegretti, one of his GOP opponents, is the son of a man that was accused of having business ties to the notorious criminal Gambino family that Grimm helped to uncover.
But Grimm said the connection is old and not relevant to the election. "It should not be held against him. I would urge people, honestly, to ignore it," said Grimm.
First Published: Nov 15, 2009 12:48 PM EST
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