(CNN) — Rep. Michael Grimm, who threatened to throw a reporter off a balcony earlier this week, will not be charged because of the incident.
“Consistent with our law enforcement responsibilities, we looked into the event, determined there isn’t a complainant and have closed the matter,” said Shenell Antrobus, a spokesperson for United States Capitol Police.
After President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday, Grimm stormed off from a TV interview when NY1 Reporter Michael Scotto tried to ask the congressman a question about the Justice Department investigation into possible illegal fundraising during his 2010 campaign.
After Scotto finished up with his live shot — but while the camera still rolled — Grimm got into Scotto’s face and threatened him.
“Let me be clear to you: If you ever do that to me again, I’ll throw you off this f***ing balcony,” Grimm said, as they were standing on the third floor of the rotunda in the Cannon House building.
Scotto replied that he was just trying to ask “a valid question.”
“No, no. You’re not man enough, you’re not man enough. I’ll break you in half, like a boy,” Grimm replied.
The exchange drew considerable attention in the media and Democrats — who see Grimm’s New York House seat as a possible win for them in the 2014 midterm election — seized upon the threat.
The next morning, Grimm called Scotto to offer his apology, which the reporter accepted.
“He was very gracious in accepting my apology,” Grimm told reporters on Wednesday. “We’re going to have lunch sometime next week and make sure this is all behind us.”
Grimm, who was first elected in 2010 and represents Staten Island and part of Brooklyn, has been dogged by campaign finance allegations and the looming federal investigation. Grimm, who denies any involvement in the case, stands accused of taking campaign donations from overseas and encouraging donors to exceed contribution limits.
