NUDES FLASH!
Skinny-dipping pol in Sea of Galilee
THE FBI HAS investigated GOP freshman lawmakers who took a booze-fueled late-night swim in the Sea of Galilee — one of them completely in the buff.
The website Politico named six Republican congressmen, including Staten Island Rep. Michael Grimm, who participated in the Holy Land shenanigans. But the website said up to 20 lawmakers and senior aides were in on the hijinks.
Grimm’s spokeswoman said Sunday night that the congressman was not naked when he jumped in the water and has not been interviewed by the FBI.
But Rep. Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.) admitted that he took off all his clothes and dived into the sea that the Bible says Jesus walked on.
The incident took place on Aug. 18, 2011, during a fact-finding mission to Israel headed by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
The swim occurred after a boozy dinner at a restaurant on the banks of the Christian holy site, Politico reported.
Multiple sources told Politico that the FBI has yet to uncover any impropriety that could lead to charges. News of the frolicking came just two days after the Daily News reported that a top fund-raiser for Grimm, Israeli citizen Ofer Biton, has been arrested by the FBI on charges of lying on immigration documents. Grimm is also under federal investigation on charges of accepting illegal campaign contributions. He has denied any wrongdoing.
The late-night dip in the Sea of Galilee occurred after Cantor and McCarthy left the group of first-- year representatives to their own devices, sources told Politico.
Yoder admitted he jumped in the water nude.
“A year ago, my wife, Brooke, and I joined colleagues for dinner at the Sea of Galilee in Israel. After dinner I followed some members of Congress in a spontaneous and very brief dive into the sea, and regrettably I jumped into the water without a swimsuit,” Yoder said in a statement to Politico.
“It is my greatest honor to represent the people of Kansas in Congress and (for) any embarrassment I have caused for my colleagues and constituents, I apologize,” Yoder said.
Politico reported that Rep. Steve Southerland of Florida and his 19-year-old daughter also took part in the late-night dip in the holy waters. Also named was upstate Rep. Tom Reed as taking part in the swim.
The incident left Cantor livid and prompted him to give his colleagues a dressing-down.