Ofer Biton

An Israeli who helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm during his 2010 campaign has been arrested in New York on immigration fraud charges. The arrest comes amid an ongoing FBI probe of money donated to Grimm's campaign by followers of an Israeli rabbi, Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto. Biton was formerly a top aide to Pinto, who also has headquarters and a residence in New York. During Grimm's 2010 run, Biton acted as the chief liaison between the Staten Island Republican and potential donors in Pinto's congregation. Grimm has acknowledged working with Biton to collect money from American members of Pinto's congregation, but he has repeatedly denied knowledge of any improper donations, or any other illegal activity involving Biton or other members of Pinto's congregation.