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Staten Island rep Vito Fossella apologizes after DUI bust

May 2, 2008

Shamed Staten Island Rep. Vito Fossella issued an abject apology today after he was busted for drunken driving in Virginia.

Calling it “an error in judgment,” Fossella accepted total blame.

“As a parent, I know that taking even one drink of alcohol before getting behind the wheel of a car is wrong,” the Republican rep said in a statement.

“I apologize to my family and the constituents of the 13th Congressional District for embarrassing them, as well as myself.”

Fossella, 43, was driving in Alexandria, Va., late Wednesday when he was busted for driving under the influence, the Washington Post reported.

Details about the arrest were scarce; Fossella’s office released no other information about the bust.

At Fossella’s house on Staten Island, where the congressman lives with his wife Mary Patricia and their three children, and elderly man answered the door, refused to identify himself and said, “Don’t know anything about this.”

At Fossella’s parents’ home, an elderly woman who also declined to give her name said “Oh gosh! Goodbye” and hung up after she was told of Fossella’s arrest.

Steve Harrison, a Democrat campaigning to unseat Fossella, said he should resign.

“Driving while intoxicated is a very serious crime,” he said. “I hope this isn’t true. If it is, he should seriously consider leaving Congress.”

Fossella’s neighbors were more forgiving.

“I think so highly of Vito,” said Rosanne Parise. “He’s a gentleman. I’m really surprised at this.”

Another neighbor, Grace Ferretti, said “everybody makes mistakes. … I feel very sad. That is not the Vito I know.”

Fossella - elected in November 1997 - is a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

A former city councilman, Fossella’s district includes the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst and Gravesend.

Virginia has strict rules and punishment for drunken driving. Fossella has a May 12 court date.

Source: NY Daily News

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Written by NY Politics · Filed Under News, Vito Fossella 

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