Grimm’s trial postponed until Feb. 2
Judge rules against congressman’s claim he was singled out
U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm learned on Tuesday that he will not go on trial in federal court in December, as originally scheduled. Judge Pamela K. Chen of the Federal District Court in Brooklyn ordered a postponement of the Republican congress member’s criminal trial until Feb. 2 to give his defense team time to examine evidence gathered by the prosecution, including tape recorded conversations with potential witnesses.
But Judge Chen also dealt Grimm a big blow when she denied his contention that he was unfairly targeted by Democratic-leaning federal prosecutors.
“The defendant has essentially claimed that he was singled out for prosecution because he is a Republican congressman,” the New York Times quoted Judge Chen as saying.
Grimm’s lawyers brought up the fact that Todd Kaminsky, a former prosecutor on the case, is now running for the State Assembly as a Democrat.