Michael Grimm returns to Congress to ‘visit old friends’

Former Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) was back in Congress on Wednesday, less than two months after resigning from office in disgrace, to “visit old friends.”

{mosads}The congressman, who announced on Dec. 30 that he’d vacate his seat after pleading guilty to tax evasion, seemed to be in good spirits upon his return to his old workplace.

“Doing well, doing well,” he said with a big smile when The Hill caught up to him in an elevator shortly after he exited the House floor.

The congressman said he was back “just to see a few old friends,” and was spotted milling about on the House floor, chatting with some of his recent colleagues with a smile on his face.

And while some seemingly surprised GOP staffers speculated that he was there to show around Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan (R), the GOP’s likely nominee to replace him once a special election is called, Grimm said he wasn’t up there for that.

“No, that’s just a coincidence, timing. Danny’s doing well, he’s great, he’ll be fine. He’s got a couple of people that are helping squiring him around. I’m just here to see some old friends,” he said.

When asked how he was doing legally, Grimm stayed upbeat.

“Everything’s going well, thank god,” he said.

Grimm, like all former members, retains the right to visit the House floor even after leaving office.

The congressman wasn’t the only disgraced former member who was around the Capitol this week. Former Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.), who resigned after being accused of having a sexual encounter with the teenage daughter of a friend, was reported hanging around the House floor as well on Wednesday, as he often is.

Former Sen. Bob Packwood (R-Ore.), who resigned after being accused of sexual harassment, was also back on Tuesday to testify at a tax reform hearing.