NEWS FLASH

FBI Still Probing GOP Rep’s Campaign Finances | The New York Observer’s Colin Campbell reports that the F.B.I. reached out to at least one person in recent weeks about Rep. Michael Grimm’s (R-NY) allegedly illegal campaign financing in his 2010 race. In early March, the AP reported that the F.B.I. was considering a formal investigation, compounded by June revelations that Grimm spent more than $300,000 out of his campaign coffers on mounting legal fees. In a statement to the Observer, Grimm denied any wrongdoing and “welcome(d) the news that (the probe) is heading towards completion.” Despite a pledge by Republican House leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) to maintain “zero tolerance” of ethics scandals, Republicans continue to stand by Grimm, who himself has in the past been soft on ethics violators.