Former NY congressman paralyzed from the chest down after being thrown from horse during polo match: Report

Michael Grimm, who resigned from the house in 2015 after pleading guilty to tax fraud, suffered the injury back in September

Former New York Rep. Michael Grimm, who resigned amid scandal in 2015 and went on to host Newsmax, is reportedly paralyzed after a riding accident.

According to CBS NewsGrimm, 54, was thrown from his horse in September during a polo match and left paralyzed from the chest down. After the accident, he was admitted to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY, New York Times reported.

He is currently undergoing treatment at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in New Jersey – same place last time Christopher Reeve was taken care of after a similar accident in an equestrian event in 1995.

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Grimm’s Newsmax colleague Greg Kelly initially mentioned his injury The Greg Kelly Show podcast on September 23. “He’s a great rider, he actually played polo. He was thrown from the horse and badly damaged his neck.” Kelly said, asking her listeners to say a prayer.

“If anyone can show the strength and endurance and determination to ensure his full recovery, it’s Michael Grimm,” said Vincent Ignizio, Grimm’s friend and a former member of the New York City Council, according to New York Times. “He’s a tough Marine and a tough patriot, and we’re just all praying.”

ONE GoFundMe has been created to help pay for medical expenses that include “treatment to walk again.” “Our friend, former Marine, FBI agent and US Congressman Michael Grimm was paralyzed after a devastating accident when he was thrown from a horse in September 2024,” the fundraiser reads.

“He has been in the most devastating situations and through the grace of God and the amazing medical teams that have helped him, Mr. Grimm has miraculously threaded the needle to survive. However, his ongoing care and treatment to walk again will cost millions of dollars.”

The GoFundMe, whose goal is $2.5 million, concludes: “For a man who has dedicated his life to helping others, we now humbly ask that you give generously to help him.”

Grimm represented Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn for New York in the U.S. Congress from 2011 to 2015, according to CBS.

In 2012, he came under federal investigation for his fundraising, which led to a 20-count indictment for mail fraud, wire fraud, health care fraud and perjury, all related to a Manhattan restaurant he owned and operated.

Although he won re-election to Congress in 2014, Grimm subsequently pleaded guilty to a single count of tax fraud in federal court in New York and resigned in 2015.

The former congressman served eight months in prison and was released in 2016. He attempted a political comeback in 2018, but was ultimately unsuccessful after losing the primary.