Congressman Michael Grimm. (WireImage)
The feds are investigating a bigwig fund-raiser for Staten Island Rep. Michael Grimm for allegedly bilking millions of dollars from the followers of an Israeli “mystic.”
The donor, Ofer Biton, who is not employed by Grimm’s congressional operation or campaign staff, is considered a major cog in the politician’s fund-raising machine.
He raised roughly $500,000 for Grimm and helped catapult him to an upset election victory in 2010.
Grimm, 42, is not himself under federal investigation, his campaign spokesman said. He has denied any wrong doing related to Biton or his fund-raising tactics.
The FBI is scrutinizing Biton’s links to powerful rabbi-to-the-stars Josef Pinto.
The politician has vowed to fight the allegations and has cited his experience in the Marine Corps as a measure of his toughness in the face of adversity.
Grimm, 42, rose to prominence as a Tea Party favorite but has come under criticism after his links to Biton were revealed.