The Justice Department has asked the House Ethics Committee to hold off on its probe of Rep. Michael Grimm while federal investigators conduct a criminal investigation of the New York Republican over alleged campaign-finance violations, the panel said in a statement Monday.

DOJ is looking into Grimm’s relationship with Ofer Biton, an Israeli citizen with close ties to Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto, who has a large following in New York. Grimm — with Biton’s help — raised more than $500,000 from Pinto’s followers, including alleged improper cash donations or contributions from non-U.S. citizens. Biton reportedly sought help from Grimm in obtaining a green card.