Fraud pol Grimm eyes SI comeback

No one else is going to support Michael Grimm (left) over [Borough President] Jimmy Oddo. — S Staten Island GOP insider

Disgraced former Rep. Michael Grimm is considering another run for Congress or Staten Island borough president, according to a source familiar with his thinking.

Grimm, a Republican, served seven months in federal prison after pleading guilty to tax fraud. He was released last May.

“He has mentioned that he wants to seek higher office again whether it’s Congress or borough president,” the source said. “Those were the two floated.”

Before running for either post, Grimm would have to line up support from the borough’s Republican kingmakers, including Rep. Dan Donovan and former Borough President Guy Molinari, who is already an ally.

“In Staten Island, you kind of have to kiss the ring of everyone,” said the source, adding that Grimm’s efforts to help residents after Hurricane Sandy would weigh heavily with voters.

Staten Island Republicans were contacted recently in a telephone poll with questions about a possible face-off between Grimm and the current borough president, James Oddo, according to the Staten Island Advance, which first reported a possible Grimm Beep run.

And while Molinari is likely to back Grimm, other key insiders are already lining up against him.

“To run against Jimmy is laughable,” said one of the insiders. “No one else is going to support Michael Grimm over Jimmy Oddo.”

Oddo welcomed the challenge Tuesday.

“My reaction to anyone who is contemplating running against me is the same: ‘Come get some,’ ” he said.

“The fact is I am confident in the relationship my staff and I have built with the people of Staten Island, a relationship we have built through our hard work, our integrity, and our authenticity.”

Oddo also batted down speculation he might run for Surrogate’s Court judge next year, but he did not deny considering it.

“With respect to any speculation about the future, my only focus is maximizing what I can accomplish today in the office I am privileged to hold,” he said.

Grimm, a former Marine and FBI agent, admitted that he had underreported more than $1 million in sales and wages at a Manhattan restaurant, Healthalicious, that he partly owned between 2007 and 2010.

He also admitted using a portion of the underreported receipts to pay employees off the books.

“I was a darn good congressman,” Grimm said at his sentencing in 2015. “I can’t tell you how terribly I felt that I walked away from my constituents.”