NY Congressman to Resign, Admits to Tax Evasion

New York Congressman Michael Grimm is resigning after pleading guilty to tax evasion.

Rep. Grimm, a Republican, said he'll step down on Jan. 5. after admitting to filing a false tax return earlier this week.

He announced his decision to resign after reportedly speaking with House Speaker John Boehner.

"After much thought and prayer, I have made the very difficult decision to step down from Congress effective January 5, 2015," Grimm said in a statement issued late Monday night by his office.

"This decision is made with a heavy heart, as I have enjoyed a very special relationship and closeness with my constituents, whom I care about deeply," he said.

Another House Republican, Rep. Steve Scalise, is also under fire after revelations that he spoke to a white supremacist group more than a decade ago.

Scalise was a state legislator at the time and said he only spoke about fiscal issues. Today, he is the House majority whip, the third most powerful Republican in the House.