N.Y. Congressman Apologizes For DUI Arrest

Republican Pleads Forgiveness, But Will Not Resign, After Driving At Twice Legal Limit Of Alcohol

(CBS/AP)  A Republican congressman from New York City apologized to his family and constituents Friday for his drunken driving arrest after a night on the town with New Yorkers who were in Washington for the Giants' White House celebration.

Vito J. Fossella, who represents Staten Island and part of Brooklyn, was arrested outside Washington early Thursday after a dinner celebrating the football team's meeting with President Bush to honor this year's Super Bowl win. He said he was heading to meet some friends in Virginia when he was pulled over in Alexandria.

Court records show that Fossella, who was charged with drunken driving, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.17 percent, more than twice the legal limit. If he is convicted, he will have to serve a mandatory five days in jail due to a minimum that kicks in for levels above 0.15 percent.

CBS Station WCBS reports that Fossella held a carefully-scripted press briefing in Staten Island on Friday, coached by aides and refusing to answer specific questions about his arrest.

Pleading forgiveness, he said he failed to set an example and deeply regrets his actions.

"This was an error in judgment," he said. "This was a mistake I will never make again."

According to The New York Times, the Alexandria, Va. police report stated Fossella had a “strong smell of alcoholic beverage” and failed several sobriety tests after he was stopped for running a red light. Fossella reportedly told the policeman that he was driving to pick up his daughter to take to the hospital.

However on Friday, the Times reports, Fossella said that he was on his way to visit friends when he was pulled over.

Fossella announced he would not resign. He would not comment on the specifics of the case.

"Politics right now is the last thing on my mind. Right now, it's the embarrassment I caused my family, my friends and the people of this community," he said.

The New York congressman spent more than six hours in jail. The arrest could complicate a re-election bid this year for Fossella, who is New York City's only Republican representative in Congress.

The Democratic Party has eyed Fossella as a potential target in elections this year, when Republicans were already expecting an uphill fight. Two Democrats are competing in a primary for the chance to unseat him.

Political consultant Mike Paul, who has served as an aide to Republicans including former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Sen. Alfonse D'Amato, said Fossella has already taken the right first step by not waiting to speak publicly.

"Long term, this is a flash in the pan," Paul said. "He's got to handle it the right way and get back on his message."

Even though Fossella has spoken out against President Bush on some issues like the Iraq war, the national Republican leadership has rallied to lend him a hand in his re-election campaign, sending Vice President Dick Cheney to endorse him recently.

Fossella won the seat in a 1997 special election while serving on the City Council.

[b-easy63]

Vito...Vito...You calla you godfaddah, talk to him like a good boy...he go down and send Tony and Mario to da courthouse--they maka it all right for you...capiche?

[irliberal]

Drunkard = toast. Next!

[stn_sage]

Let''s see! It appears to be just another Republican politician flaunting his position and breaking the law. Nothing new about this.

It is interesting that he told the police he was driving to pick up his daughter to take to the hospital at the time he was stopped on Thursday, then the next day he told reporters he was driving to visit friends when he was stopped!

Not only DUI, but a bad memory,too! Or, LYING!
But, he has admitted his ''mistake'', so everyone is supposed to forget it and let him go!

What the article doesn''t say is his arrest is supposed to start an ethics committee investigation on him and the charge(s) within 30 days! Which, could result in punitive action against him including kicking him out!

However, they won''t take any serious action against him. They''ll draft a memo that says he was bad but that he said he was sorry, he promised not to do it again, and all is forgiven!

They can''t get basic legislation done, but they have time to go out and get drunk and then DUI!

He ought to be thrown out of Congress on his arse!

[singingrick]

More Republicon family values on parade.

lol!

[sistatee-2009]

No *** in the car?

[erichsh]

Both the article and the posts reveal a familiar pattern. As for the article, it''s how CBS chooses to publish the transgressions of an obscure local invididual solely because he''s Republican, and of course immediately identifies the individual as such. And as for the posters, it''s the usual extension and extrapolation of the individual behavior to any and all Republicans, elected or otherwise.

[cyberus-2009]

Just like all the *haves*, get caught, say you''re sorry, maybe go to some meetings, all done.
For the *have-nots* they would be facing jail time, suspended license, huge jump in insurance, good chance of losing job because they were in jail or because they can''t drive to get to work.
Nothing like a good class system as a base for a *free* society.

[donbl1]

at least he was not toe tappin in Minneapolis.......

DUI is unfortunate and dangerous.

However, I would rather be around that guy than a toe tapper.

[cdfoxtrot]

Seems very extreme that he might have a mandatory jail sentence for what appears to be a first offense, and no one was injured. This anti-drunk driving crowd are outta control.

[cyberus-2009]

----
Seems very extreme that he might have a mandatory jail sentence for what appears to be a first offense, and no one was injured. This anti-drunk driving crowd are outta control.

Posted by cdfoxtrot
----

5 days in jail *because* his blood alcohol was *twice* the legal limit.
First offense or not it seems like a reasonable wake up call. Problem I have is that *he* will probably serve the five ... a guy that had to much to drink after a 12 hour shift doing dishes would probably get much more, months if he couldn''t get his drunken public defender to wake up long enough to do more than pick up his check.

[ontheleft]

''Seems very extreme that he might have a mandatory jail sentence for what appears to be a first offense, and no one was injured. This anti-drunk driving crowd are outta control.''
Posted by cdfoxtrot at 06:07 PM

Drunk driving is out of control. That''s why they''ve stiffened the penalties. Chances are this is not the first time he''s driven drunk, it was just the first time he was caught.

[veteran72]

Both the article and the posts reveal a familiar pattern. As for the article, it''s how CBS chooses to publish the transgressions of an obscure local invididual solely because he''s Republican, and of course immediately identifies the individual as such. And as for the posters, it''s the usual extension and extrapolation of the individual behavior to any and all Republicans, elected or otherwise.



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Posted by erichsh at 05:09 PM : May 03, 2008
+ report abuse

But,...but,...Bill got a BJ!!....*sniff*...

[rushlimpdrug]

"Fossella held a carefully-scripted press briefing"

Wow.

He kept to the script?

Gotta love those compassionate christian
conservative republicans.

They can stay on script even when they
drive drunk through red lights.

He know the wimpy reporters will know
enough to not ask about this anymore.

[alanrobisch]

He know the wimpy reporters will know
enough to not ask about this anymore.




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Posted by rushlimpdrug at 07:54 PM : May 03, 2008
Why was it necessary to mention christian consevative. You know nothing of the man and gee I guess only conservative''s drive drunk and He must be a christian because he did something wrong. I''d like to see you in the same boat and see what you would do.

I guess only christians who do something wrong are guilty while liberals must be forgiven because they didn''t mean to do it. See ted kennnedy liberal. Guilty of involuntary manslaugter nothing happenned to him.

[berkshirerez]

This guy should not get off so easily! He was lucky he didn''t kill people. My significant other was killed and I was injured last fall in Staten Island when a drunk driver (registered slightly less than twice the legal limit) slammed into our car going 80+ mph in the wrong direction on the highway. Political figures caught risking the lives of innocent people in this way should be punished much more than common folk--they are MEANT to set an example and have the best interest/safety of the public in mind at all times. This guy needs to be forced out of office if he''s not going to resign.

[rafterman1]

===Why was it necessary to mention christian consevative.===
Posted by alanrobisch2

Because christian conservatives are the most arrogant, self-righteous among us and it is human nature to want to take delight in the downfall of these people who are quick to judge others, yet demand understanding and forgiveness for themselves.

[barbaraf4]

Seems very extreme that he might have a mandatory jail sentence for what appears to be a first offense, and no one was injured. This anti-drunk driving crowd are outta control. Posted by cdfoxtrot
----
This was the first time he was *caught*.

[element51]

It doesn''t matter a dam bit to me whether this guy is a democrat or a republican. Christian or Jew. Congressman or ditch digger. He was putting other people''s lives at risk and driving at TWICE the legal limit. One of the posters on here said,"the anti-drunk driving crowd are outta control." Yeah you sob, make that same statement after you have to go to the morgue and identify the remains of your 16 year old son, like I had to. Throw the book at this guy. He''s supposed to be setting an example.

[veteran72]

Even though Fossella has spoken out against President Bush on some issues like the Iraq war, the national Republican leadership has rallied to lend him a hand in his re-election campaign, sending Vice President *** Cheney to endorse him recently.

Luckily, he had better sense than to go out drinking with Shotgun Dickkk.....we all know how that turns out.....

[alanrobisch]

Because christian conservatives are the most arrogant, self-righteous among us and it is human nature to want to take delight in the downfall of these people who are quick to judge others, yet demand understanding and forgiveness for themselves.



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Posted by Rafterman1 at 08:33 PM : May 03, 2008
+ report abuse
I hope you feel good about yourself. You sound like an arrogant bigot

[rafterman1]

===I hope you feel good about yourself. You sound like an arrogant bigot===
Posted by alanrobisch2

No, just someone who believes in just rewards. But, of course we all know how understanding and tolerant that christian conservatives are. They just love everybody, don''t they? It''s not intolerant to be intolerant of those who are intolerant. Get it?

[rafterman1]

===I hope you feel good about yourself. You sound like an arrogant bigot===
Posted by alanrobisch2

By the way, I''ve never put people''s lives at risk because of my own selfishness. So, yes, I do feel good about myself. And drunk driving is the ultimate act of selfishness and arrogance. That makes me a million times better than Mr. Fossella.

[ontheleft]

"I hope you feel good about yourself. You sound like an arrogant bigot"
Posted by alanrobisch2 at 09:56 PM

Go face a mirror and preach to yourself.

[gce65]

Send Vito a Sicilian message: a fish wrapped in newspaper.

[dowjones20k]

Luckily, he had better sense than to go out drinking with Shotgun Dickkk.....we all know how that turns out.....

Posted by veteran72 at 09:47 PM : May 03, 2008


HAHAHA pretty funny ...

but I think I would rather go hunting with *** Cheney .......

than to go for a drink/car ride with Teddy Kennedy.

[longtree-2009]

Surely, he will resign. Surely, the congressman''s district will not forgive him and pressure him to resign as should his political supporters and party.

[alanrobisch]

Go face a mirror and preach to yourself.


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Posted by ontheleft at 01:00 AM : May 04, 2008
I guess since you have no belief in anything anything you think is okay is okay.

[xlib]

Did he drive over a bridge, dump his car in the water and leave a young girl to die??? Was he driving DUI in DC at 3AM and crash into some cement blocks? Interesting how his party is mentioned in the headline yet when herr spitzer got busted his party wasn''t mentioned at all.
Tell you libs what, when ole drunken teddy resigns then this guy should resign.

[usmcvn2]

Posted by nutsie11 at 08:11 AM : May 04, 2008

Nutsie....
Ya forgot blowyobs in the men''s room!!! ROFLMFAO!!! F*uck the GOP!


But, but, but the surge is working.

[skyk-2009]

I guess since you have no belief in anything anything you think is okay is okay.


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Posted by alanrobisch2 at 09:20 AM : May 04, 2008
+ report abuse

THAT is NOT what he said and YOU know it! God where do you freaks come from?? These Snake Oil Salesmen go out pander to high heaven on "Family Values" and you poor people just keep drinking the Kool Aid. It''s beyond disgusting. NO politician has EVER been able to give ANYONE "Moral''s"....

[usmcvn2]

Semper FI Skyk

[keithle1]

I''m surprised more people don''t get busted for DUI. Get into accidents that kill or maim other people.

How many people designate a driver when they go to a bar/nightclub with their friends?

If you drive to a bar by yourself, you''re not going to get a cab & leave your car on the street all night in the city. You''re going to take a chance & drive home. After you have had more than a few, it won''t even enter your mind that you shouldn''t be driving.

[milesbrown49]

dowjones20k: said
but I think I would rather go hunting with *** Cheney .......

than to go for a drink/car ride with Teddy Kennedy.


Are you crazy??? or just a republican?????

[honestabe8]

I don''t care one way or another what the man''s party affiliation is, or what he does for a living. He should not be driving drunk. I do find it more amusing when "godly" people fall, primarily because of their preachy nature. Element51: Sorry you had to go through that with your 16 year old.

[forthepeopl1]

we the people can STOP all in CONGRESS and the WHITEHOUSE with something so easy, and we would not have to fire a shot at anyone to have this REVOLUTION, THATS RIGHT A REVOLUTION IS WHAT IS NEEDED TO STOP THEM ALL IN THEIR TRACKS.

HOW. WE THE PEOPLE DONT WORK OR DO ANYTHING FOR A FEW WEEKS, SEE HOW FAST THEY START DOING SOMETHING FOR AMERICANS, WHEN NO MONEY IS GOING ONTO THE GOVERNEMNT FOR A FEW WEEKS, SEE NO FOOD BEING DRIVEN TO STORES, THIS IS THE ONLY WAY WE AS AMERICANS CAN TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK.. SO AMERICANS BETTER WAKE UP AND LETS START A COMPLETE BOY-COTT OF WORK..THIS WILL ONLY WORK IF ALL DO IT.

[e-mail]

[tomanyt]

They can make laws, they just can''t seem to follow them. Sad.

[indianmade1]

It shouldn''t matter what party is behind him, he broke the law and worse he claimed he was going to pick up his daughter. He was drunk and planning to pick up a child and put her into the cay with him and drive her around while drunk. there is not one reason in the world to think it would be okay under any circumstances for him to lead any governing body, he isn''t able to make sound decisions before he drinks and gets into a car. When you are an responsible adult you make plans before you have the first drink or you don''t drink at all. Killing yourself, your child or someone else can''t be undone. "I''m sorry" after the fact doesn''t undo the damage. He didn''t just make a mistake he used poor judgement from the first sip. I wouldn''t want to be "lead" by someone like that.

[jt92202]

I am tired of our law makers breaking the law! I don''t care if they are rep or demo''s none of them are above the law. If they expect the American people to live by the letter of the law then they as law makers should be held to the same if not more. When they break the law they should have to give up their job, how will we ever believe or trust them if they can''t even call a cab when they are Drunk. After all we the people would pay for the cab ride in the long run anyways!!! Why do I feel this way? Google Judge Bobbie Bridge of Washington State, she is still on the bench throwing the book at drunk drivers even though she was caught herself!! She should have been thrown off the bench!!!

[alanrobisch]

THAT is NOT what he said and YOU know it! God where do you freaks come from?? These Snake Oil Salesmen go out pander to high heaven on "Family Values" and you poor people just keep drinking the Kool Aid. It''''s beyond disgusting. NO politician has EVER been able to give ANYONE "Moral''''s"....


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Posted by skyk at 10:09 AM : May 04, 2008
+ report abuse
he found grqatification in the fact that he was republican and christian. He thought it was nice to see him brought low because he was a christian. He didn''t care about the violation and thinks apparently that only christians are looking for undesserved forgiveness. He apparrently wouldn''t have felt that way if he was a liberal dem who didn''t stand up for family values. I guess if you don''t stand up for morality then when you do something wrong it isn''t wrong or you just don''t get your jollies from it.

I''ve noted a signifcant double standard whereby people who advocate family values and screw up are lambasted and liberals for want of a better term can do the equivalent and not get the same criticism.

It tires me to here that only conservatives or christians are self righteous but liberals who have created this elaborate political correctness standard are never. See the fall of Don Imus and the many that defended him for doing what I consider obscene