May 2, 2008 7:11 pm US/Eastern
SI Congressman Fossella Apologizes For DWI Arrest
Republican Begging Forgiveness From Family And Constituents
Had Blood-Alcohol Level Of More Than Twice Legal Limit
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
At a press conference on Friday, Republican Congressman Vito Fossella apologized profusely for his drunken driving arrest, and is begging forgiveness from his family and constituents.
Fossella, who represents Staten Island and part of Brooklyn, was arrested early Thursday outside Washington and charged with driving while intoxicated.
Fossella looked bleary eyed and unshaven in his police mug shot.
According to Fossella, he had been out carousing with people celebrating the Super Bowl champion New York Giants' trip to the White House.
"About two dozen or so got together for dinner in Washington for a few hours and ultimately I was on my way to meet some friend in Virginia and that's when I was pulled over," said Fossella.
Fossella reportedly had a blood alcohol level of .17 – more than twice the legal limit. He was held overnight in jail.
On Friday, at a news conference in Staten Island, Fossella was playing cleanup.
"This is an error in judgment. This is a mistake I will never make again," he said.
Steve Harrison, the Democrat campaigning to unseat Fossella, pounced on the incident.
"This isn't just a matter of a lapse in judgment or an error. It's a crime we're talking about," said Harrison.
"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," Fossella responded.
Some voters seemed forgiving.
"Everybody's allowed to make a mistake. Everybody's human," said George William of Staten Island.
"Nothing surprises me anymore about anything to do with politicians," said Mary Rivas.
The congressman's friends say he should not be judged by one incident, but by the body of his work.
"This should not take away from the big picture which is that for 11 years no one has fought harder, no one has done better, no one has been a better leader than Vito Fossella," said State Senator Andrew Lanza.
Fossella faces a tough reelection campaign. Two years ago, Steve Harrison got 43 percent of the vote as a relatively unknown figure.
If convicted, the five-term congressman could face a mandatory minimum of five days in jail and lose his license for a year.
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