Indictment Expected for Grimm, Staten Island Congressman

Representative Michael G. Grimm, a former F.B.I. agent and Marine who capitalized on his straight-arrow image to win a seat in Congress, is expected to be indicted on federal fraud charges as early as next week after a lengthy corruption investigation, according to people with knowledge of the case.

The charges against Mr. Grimm, 44, a Republican who was first elected in 2010 and represents Staten Island and a portion of Brooklyn, will include mail fraud and wire fraud and focus on his conduct in connection with a health food restaurant he owned on the Upper East Side of Manhattan after he left the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2006, one of the people said.

The investigation of the second-term congressman, by the F.B.I. and prosecutors in the United States attorney's office in Brooklyn, began more than two years ago with an examination of Mr. Grimm's fund-raising for his 2010 race. Two of his fund-raisers have already been charged, one with illegally funneling more than $10,000 into his campaign.

Mr. Grimm's lawyer in Washington, William McGinley of Patton Boggs, confirmed in a statement on Friday that prosecutors intended to file criminal charges against his client and said Mr. Grimm 'asserts his innocence.' Mr. McGinley said the investigation was 'a politically driven vendetta.'

'After more than two years of investigation plagued by malicious leaks, violations of grand jury secrecy, and strong-arm tactics, the U.S. attorney's office has disclosed its intent to file criminal charges against Congressman Grimm,' Mr. McGinley said. 'When the dust settles, he will be vindicated. Until then, he will continue to serve his constituents with the same dedication and tenacity that has characterized his lifetime of public service as a member of Congress, Marine Corps combat veteran and decorated F.B.I. special agent.'

Spokesmen for the office of the United States attorney in Brooklyn, Loretta E. Lynch, and for the New York F.B.I. office declined to comment.