Former New York congressman paralyzed from chest down after being thrown from horse during polo match: report

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

Former New York Rep. Michael Grimm, who resigned in 2015 amid scandal and later became an anchor at Newsmax, is reportedly paralyzed after a horseback riding accident.

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

He is currently being treated at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in New Jersey – the same place where the late Christopher Reeve was treated after a similar accident at an equestrian competition in 1995.

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

“If there is anyone who can demonstrate the strength, fortitude and will to ensure his full recovery, it is Michael Grimm,” said Vincent Ignizio, Grimm’s friend and former New York City Council member New York Times. “He’s a tough Marine and a tough patriot, and we’re all just praying.”

A GoFundMe has been set up to cover medical costs, which include “treatment to walk again.” “Our friend, former Marine, FBI agent and U.S. Congressman Michael Grimm, was paralyzed after a devastating accident when he was thrown from a horse in September 2024,” the fundraiser states.

“He found himself in the most devastating situations and by the grace of God and the amazing medical teams who helped him, Mr Grimm miraculously threaded the needle to survive. But 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 you to donate generously to help him. “

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

In 2012, he faced a federal investigation into his fundraising that resulted in an indictment on 20 counts of 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 tax fraud in New York federal court 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 ultimately failed after losing the primary election.