WASHINGTON, May 19, 2008
Scandal-Plagued N.Y. Rep. Won't Run Again
Republican Vito Fossella Was Politically Crippled By News Of DUI Arrest And Secret Affair
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13th Congressional district representative Vito Fossella listens to a question Friday, May 2, 2008, in the Staten Island borough of New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
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Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to make the announcement public. Fossella was expected to make the announcement Tuesday.
Fossella, 43, has admitted to fathering a daughter with a Virginia woman.
The congressman's secret relationship with the woman, Laura Fay, was revealed after he was arrested for drunken driving May 1. Fossella was stopped after running a red light, and he told officers he was going to see his sick daughter, according to police.
Fossella is married with three children. The family lives on Staten Island.
He has served in Congress since 1997, representing Staten Island and part of Brooklyn. He is the only Republican member of Congress from New York City.
It was Fay who got him out of jail after the arrest. She is a former Air Force lieutenant colonel and worked for a time as a liaison to Congress.
After his arrest, police said Fossella's blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit, and he could face a mandatory five days in jail if convicted. A court appearance on the drunken driving arrest is scheduled for next month.
After the relationship was revealed, Fossella said he had no immediate plans to resign, but the disclosures were considered by many as a crippling blow to the career of a lawmaker once viewed a potential candidate for mayor of New York City.
He faced a surprisingly tough re-election challenge in 2006, and Democrats have been hoping to unseat him this year. After the admissions, Fossella got little public support to remain from leaders of his own party.
Fossella was elected to Congress in 1997 in a special election to replace Rep. Susan Molinari, who resigned. His socially conservative positions squared nicely with his largely Catholic district. He serves as a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
His work in Congress shifted dramatically following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. Hundreds of Staten Island residents died in the attacks, and Fossella became a prominent advocate for families of those killed.
As more recovery and rescue workers got sick after toiling at the ground zero site, Fossella pushed for Washington to pay for their health care - an effort that met with short-term success, but no long-term program.
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The secrets of tennis legend 
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See all 87 CommentsA: Ten
One to set up a shell corp as tax shelter in Dubai.
One to sign the multi year ''no-bid'' contract.
Two to drive away the armored car filled with US tax dollars.
Four to guard the armored car and shoot civilians for fun.
One to testify to Congress how the govt needs to double the original amount they were to be paid.
One to blame the Democrats for letting the bulb burn out in the first place.
May I disagree with you on this?
I do believe there are masses of good, kind, hard working people in WA. Ethical and moral people who just keep working and doing their jobs to the best of their ability. Pick either party, there are good people in it.
These good folks get the same small kudos and thanks the rest of us working people get, not national news.
Good folks don''t get on the news because they don''t do the kinds of things that make the news, like having splashy affairs or secret kids or toe-tap in bathrooms.
We don''t hear about the good people, so why not believe there aren''t many left in WA.
It isn''t news that sells if the media focused on the good in people. The news that sells is the celebrity gossip, the latest Republican or Democrat fall from grace, or future telling about 08 elections. It is more interesting and "fun" to tear each other up over our differences, than it is to chat about the good things many many people do daily.
There are a lot of good people, in each party, in WA generally, in this nation, across the planet. They just keep doing good, no matter how bad it gets. :)
Queer
unusual
enigma
totally mezmerized by wide stances
zoolilogically on the bottom rung
always looking for a way to put others down- hopes it makes him feel bigger
little in every sense of the word
G grand
O old
P perverts.
the liar label can be easily placed across the board ... this is not a rare characteristic in politics.
who might be that shining example we should all emulate?
Posted by bobnjersey
I agree wit your sentiment, he should have not let his personal life get in the way of his duty as president. As the POTUS he had a job that put him in the spotlight and he needed to conduct himself with honor.
Who would be a good example? No one I know that you would know I am sure. No one in the public spotlight I can think of right now.
I would hope for someone with character, honesty, backbone, integrity, and a sense of duty over self. Not many people like that today is there.
[Posted by guysdigdirt at 05:09 PM : May 20, 2008]
they''re all human ... and therefore all fallible.
the question is what impact their ''undesirable'' actions have on others ... if any.
[Posted by guysdigdirt at 05:06 PM : May 20, 2008]
i don''t believe i referenced anyone being an example at all.
maybe some of those obsessed w/ his personal life, or his investments, his *** life, or his political past ... while ignoring the business of the country ... would be a better example of what an american should be.
the liar label can be easily placed across the board ... this is not a rare characteristic in politics.
who might be that shining example we should all emulate?
[Posted by guysdigdirt at 12:58 PM : May 20, 2008]
he was only under oath as a result of the ''''witch hunt'''' perpetrated by the republicans ... in an attempt to destroy their political opponent ... which began prior to his election ... and continues to this day.
Posted by bobnjersey
If that makes you feel better to think all that then so be it. He is a liar and a cheat and not a decent example of what an American should be.
[Posted by guysdigdirt at 12:58 PM : May 20, 2008]
he was only under oath as a result of the ''witch hunt'' perpetrated by the republicans ... in an attempt to destroy their political opponent ... which began prior to his election ... and continues to this day.
Posted by demslie at 11:53 AM : May 20, 2008
Face it, Toe tapper. YOU''RE A LOSER and A WHINER. You are always whinning and complaining about those mean ol'' Democrats and those bad ol'' Liberals. You Republicons get caught doing something you shouldn''t be doing, and right away you blame the media, the Democrats, the Clintons, the Liberals, the world......everyone but yourselves. You punks make me sick. You''re just a big cry baby! Waaaaaaaaah!
Posted by JoeCoolSwat
There is a difference, the Dems are not trying to play the morals police and tell others how to live. The Republican Right has done nothing but play on peoples fears and all the while laughing at those same scared people. Come on, even the White House referred to the "religious nuts" behind their backs while they courted your vote.
Should say something about the greed over principle party.
Posted by antoniof123
It is not a GOP or any other group that has a lead when it comes to corruption, if you say so you are either ignorant or a moron. They shouuld all go.
Posted by superdem
I think this guy and anyother elected official who grossly violates the laws and ethics of society should no longer be allowed to serve. I think you are wrong to say what bill did had no reson to change how he did his job. He lied under oath and even when proven to be a liar did not admit his guilt. How can anyone, be it an American or the leader of another country ever believe him again. that changed his ability to do his job.
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