Grimm’s Ex-Girlfriend Likely To Avoid Jail Time Because Crime Was Motivated By “Personal Relationship” With Congressman

Feds will not be pushing for prison time for Diane Durand, Congressman Michael Grimm ex-girlfriend who pleaded guilty to illegally gathering contribution’s for the disgraced politician’s campaign last year.

In a letter, prosecutors wrote that they wouldn’t challenge the defense’s request that Durand receive probation – and not jail time – and no more than $31,800 in fines when she is sentenced on March 17.

Durand admitted to using straw donors to steer more than $10,000 in illegal donations to Grimm, but in anticipation of next week’s sentencing, prosecutors are suggesting her judgement may have been impaired by her relationship with the former congressman.

The Daily News reports:

Durand could face up to a year in prison when she is sentenced Tuesday by Brooklyn Federal Judge Sterling Johnson, but prosecutors stated in court papers that the government does not oppose probation for the single mom from Texas.

“It appears that the defendant did not solicit campaign contributions prior to her commission of the subject offense and that the motivating factor to commit the offense related to the defendant’s personal relationship with one of the candidates,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa Seifan wrote to the judge.

Based on sentencing guidelines, probation officials initially recommended a 6- to 12-month prison sentence for Durand, reports the Long Island Advance.

Grimm resigned from his congressional seat in December after pleading guilty to tax fraud and is expected to be sentenced on June 8. He faces up to three years in jail.