Former Republican Rep. Michael Grimm of Staten Island was paralyzed after falling from a horse in September, leaving him unable to walk, deputy executive director of the New York City Board of Elections Vincent Ignizio revealed Sunday on Facebook.
Grimm — who represented Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn in the House of Representatives from 2010 to January 2015, then resigned after he was indicted for fraud, and served seven months in prison for tax evasion — suffered a serious neck injury requiring surgery after the horse-riding accident, Grimm’s Newsmax colleague and former Fox 5 morning anchor Greg Kelly reported in September.
The injury left Grimm unable to walk, according to Ignizio. He reportedly sustained the injury while playing polo.
Ignizio called Grimm “a great friend [and] a great patriot,” in a statement to the Advance/SILive.com, which first reported the news of Grimm’s paralysis. Ignizio shared a link to a GoFundMe campaign titled “Help Michael Grimm Walk Again,” with the goal of raising $2.5 million.
“Our friend, former Marine, FBI Agent, and US Congressman Michael Grimm was paralyzed following a devastating accident when thrown from a horse in September 2024. 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. For a man who has dedicated his life to helping others, we now humbly ask that you give generously to help him,” the GoFundMe description reads.
Grimm pleaded guilty to tax evasion in federal court in 2015, and was released from prison in 2016 after spending seven months behind bars.
In 2018, he attempted a political comeback but lost a Republican primary to incumbent Republican Rep. Dan Donovan, who ultimately lost to Democrat Max Rose that year.
Since then, Grimm has largely stayed out of politics.
