A former top fundraiser for Staten Island Congressman Michael Grimm and aide to the so-called Rabbi to the Stars has been arrested by the FBI on charges of lying on immigration documents, the Daily News has learned.
Ofer Biton, a citizen of Israel, is accused of making false statements about the source of $400,000 he loaned to a company as part of a entrepreneurial visa program administered by the government.
The criminal complaint was filed by prosecutor Anthony Capozzolo of the Brooklyn U.S. Attorney’s public corruption unit. He has been leading a probe of allegations that Grimm, a Staten Island Republican, accepted illegal campaign contributions.
Biton has also been at the center of an investigation into allegations that millions of dollars was embezzled from Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto, a spiritual adviser to former Rep. Anthony Weiner before his downfall in a texting scandal, and NBA star LeBron James.
The New York Times reported earlier this year that Biton had raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Grimm from members of Pinto’s congregation.
At least four of Grimm’s campaign workers have received subpoenas to testify before a federal grand jury in Brooklyn, The News reported last month.
Grimm has denied any wrongdoing. His Washington, D.C., lawyer William McGinley did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Biton was ordered held without bail on an immigration detainer. Defense lawyer Jeffrey Udell could not be reached.
jmarzulli@nydailynews.com
