Staten Island Congressman Michael Grimm's Ex-Girlfriend Pleads Guilty

Diane Durand's lawyer says there was no evidence Rep. Grimm knew of her misdeeds

A Texas woman romantically linked to embattled Staten Island congressman Michael Grimm has pleaded guilty to campaign finance charges.

Houston resident Diana Durand entered the plea on Wednesday in federal court in Brooklyn.

Prosecutors had accused Durand of lining up straw donors for Grimm's 2010 campaign to circumvent campaign contribution limits. Her lawyer says there was no evidence Grimm knew of her misdeeds.

The 48-year-old Durand faces up to a year in prison at sentencing in February.

Grimm has pleaded not guilty to evading taxes in a private business venture before he was elected. The Staten Island Republican is fighting the charges while running for a third term.
 

 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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