Effective Monday, only two months after seeking and winning his re-election as Republican Congressman from Staten Island, Representative Michael Grimm will no longer fill a seat in the House.

Grimm, from New York’s 13th District announced his resignation one week after pleading “guilty” to Felony Tax Evasion. He had earlier announced his intentions to stay on as Staten Island’s representative, but after a meeting with Speaker of the House John Boehner Monday, he abruptly announced his decision to step down.

Boehner has declined to comment.

In a statement released Monday night, Grimm said in part, “After much thought and prayer, I have made the very difficult decision to step down from Congress effective Jan. 5, 2015. This decision is made with a heavy heart, as I have enjoyed a very special relationship and closeness with my constituents, whom I care about deeply.”

The ex-FBI agent pleaded “Guilty” to one count of Felony Tax Evasion in a plea deal, where he faced 20 counts that included him under-reporting over $1 million in wages and receipts, with which, in part, he paid employees of his Manhattan restaurant, many of which were illegal aliens not eligible to work in the U.S.

In court last week, Grimm said “We underestimated gross receipts.”

It was in January of this year that Grimm came into the national spotlight when he threatened a TV news station reporter from NY1 after President Obama’s State of the Union address, telling the reporter, “Let me be clear to you. If you ever do that to me again I’ll throw you off this f**king balcony,” this came after the reporter asked Grimm about inquiries into his campaign financing.

Staten Island Borough President James Oddo said in part in a release after hearing of Grimm’s resignation, “I guess we all knew this day was coming. Nevertheless, it’s awfully sad seeing the public service career of someone with the resume and background of Mike Grimm end this way.”

A special election will now have to be called by Governor Cuomo to replace Grimm. One of those expected to be in the running is Staten Island DA, Daniel Donovan, whose lackluster prosecution of Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo, who put a choke-hold on Eric Garner, leading to Garner’s death, led to no charges against the officer. The choke-hold and subsequent death of Garner was seen by millions of YouTube viewers all over the world.

At his sentencing in June, Grimm faces up to three years in prison, and a $100,000 fine. Grimm has also agreed to pay restitution for his unpaid taxes.

  boehner, felony, michael grimm, representative, resignation, staten island, tax evasion