STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Former GOP Rep. Michael Grimm has been paralyzed from injuries he sustained in a September horse riding accident, the Advance/SILive.com has learned.
Former South Shore City Councilman Vincent Ignizio, who now serves as deputy executive director of the New York City Board of Elections, took to Facebook to encourage “prayers and a donation” for Grimm.
He revealed that Grimm is paralyzed and cannot walk due to the accident.
Ignizio posted a link to the “Help Michael Grimm Walk Again” GoFundMe page that has already raised $15,146 as of 10:23 a.m. on Sunday. The goal is $2.5 million.
Ignizio’s post explained that Grimm “needs help to cover the substantial costs that insurance doesn’t cover.”
In a comment to the Advance/SILive.com, Ignizio called Grimm “a great friend [and] a great patriot,” saying: “Staten Island always steps up when someone is in need, and I’m hopeful that they do the same for a former congressman and friend, Michael Grimm.”
The GoFundMe’s description reads as follows:
“Our friend, former Marine, FBI Agent, and US Congressman Michael Grimm was paralyzed following a devastating accident when thrown from a horse in September 2024. He has been in the most devastating of situations and through the grace of God, Mr. Grimm has miraculously thread the needle to survive. Yet, his ongoing care and the treatment to walk again will cost millions of dollars.
“For a man who has dedicated his life to helping others, we now humbly ask that you give generously to help him,” says the fundraising page.
Greg Kelly, a former Fox 5 morning anchor and Newsmax colleague of Grimm’s, in September said Grimm sustained a neck injury that required surgery, and that Grimm was had been in an unidentified Westchester hospital.
Grimm was reportedly playing polo when his horse threw him off.
“For a man who has dedicated his life to helping others, we now humbly ask that you give generously to help him and share with others who may,” Ignizio wrote.
Grimm has long been an avid horseman, frequently posting to social media about his time spent at stables and playing polo.
Grimm represented Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn in the House of Representatives from 2010 to January 2015, when he resigned following a 2014 federal indictment related to fraudulent practices at an Upper East Side health food restaurant Grimm partially owned.
Ultimately, the former congressman pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and served seven months in prison before being released in 2016.
Grimm attempted a congressional comeback in 2018, but lost a GOP primary to incumbent Republican Rep. Dan Donovan, who ultimately lost to Democrat Max Rose that year.
Grimm has mostly stayed out of Staten Island politics since then, but has been a vocal supporter of Republican candidate Marko Kepi, who ran a failed campaign for state Senate this year. The two served in the Marine Corps and share a political mentor in former Brooklyn GOP State Sen. Marty Golden.
Kepi posted the GoFundMe on his Facebook page this morning, as well.
