NY congressman apologizes to reporter for threat

WASHINGTON — A reporter for a New York City cable news station said Wednesday that U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm called him to apologize for physically threatening him at the end of an interview about President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address.

“I accepted his apology and I think we’re going to move on from here,” said NY1 reporter Michael Scotto.

During the confrontation Tuesday in the Capitol, Grimm stalked out of an interview when Scotto tried to ask him about a Justice Department investigation into his campaign finances.

Then he stormed back, leaned in close and said, “Let me be clear to you. If you ever do that to me again, I’ll throw you off this (expletive) balcony.”

When Scotto protested, saying he was asking “a valid question,” Grimm glanced at the camera, leaned in again and said, “No. No. You’re not man enough. You’re not man enough. I’ll break you in half. Like a boy.”

NY1 posted video of the threat.

Grimm was initially unapologetic afterward, saying in a statement that he felt Scotto’s question had been disrespectful.

Scotto said on NY1 Wednesday that Grimm’s subsequent apology sounded sincere.

Grimm did not respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.