one of his source says the congressman didn't know the makeup of the group he was speaking to. here's what he told a newspaper in new orleans. quote, i detest any kind of hate group. for anyone to suggest that i was involved with a group like that is insulting and ludicrous. athena jones is in washington. we'll start with michael grimm. it's an about-face from the new york congressman. why the change of heart for him? >> reporter: it comes less than a week after entering that guilty plea. he insisted he would stay on even after pleading guilty. but this decision was announced last night after congressman grimm had a conversation with house speaker john boehner. that could have something to do with this. the republicans would like to have a clean slate as they prepare to take over in this new congress.