Former Michael Grimm Fund-Raiser Arraigned in New York
BY ROSS BARKAN
A Texas woman arrested by the FBI and charged for allegedly funneling more than $10,000 in illegal contributions to Congressman Michael Grimm’s 2010 campaign was arraigned in federal court this afternoon.
Diana Durand, a close friend of Mr. Grimm–a lawyer for Ms. Durand wouldn’t confirm they had a romantic relationship, though media reports have described her as an ex-girlfriend–appeared briefly in a downtown Brooklyn courtroom, where she did not enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
After the appearance, her attorney, Stuart Kaplan, told reporters that Ms. Durand, who has not been formally indicted, was not the “smoking gun” in any potential case against Mr. Grimm.
“There’s not anything she had that would be beneficial to the government,” said Mr. Kaplan, who said he believes the government is “satisfied she’s not the smoking gun.”
http://politicker.com/2014/02/former-michael-grimm-fund-raiser-arraigned-in-new-york/