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May 12, 2008 7:26 pm US/Eastern
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Troubles Mount For Fossella As Decision Nears
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
The troubles continue to mount for embattled Congressman Vito Fossella. Officials are looking into the Staten Island Republican's jet-setting ways after records showed he took trips to Europe without any other lawmakers present.
A CBS 2 review of Fossella's taxpayer-funded junkets shows that the family-values lawmakers visited an eye-popping 13 countries between Jan. 2002 and Aug. 2004, including several stops in Europe, Bermuda, and Cuba. It's not yet clear how many trips his girlfriend Laura Fay went on with him, but Fossella abruptly stopped his frequent flying about the time that Fay got pregnant with their daughter Natalie, whom he fathered outside of his marriage and unbeknownst to his wife Mary Patricia.
Records further show that Fossella has not taken any trips since around the time that Natalie was born.
In Jan. 2003, Fossella spent nearly $7,000 in taxpayer money for a trip to France.
In Aug. 2004, there was a $7,700 tab for a trip to Italy.
Fossella was the only Congressman on both jaunts. No other lawmakers went, which sources say is unusual. CBS 2 confirmed last week that Fay accompanied Fossella on a trip to Europe, but several other lawmakers were on that trip too. Now officials are reportedly trying to find out if Fay did join him on the other trips.
This comes as Republicans and Democrats alike are waiting to see if the pressure of the scandal forces him to resign or decide not to run for re-election.
A WCBSTV.com poll showed that more than 50 percent of voters thought Fossella should step down immediately, while just over 26 percent thought he should stay in office, but not run for re-election.
Staten Island Democrats see this as a welcomed opportunity to take the seat for their party. Councilman Michael McMahon is one that Democrats have mentioned as a possible candidate.
"It's a seat that should be in Democratic hands irrespective of the personal problems of the Congressman," said McMahon. "We think it should be represented by someone who has the values of a majority of people in the district."
Fossella's crisis manager, Susan Del Percio, did not return calls seeking comment about the trips and which ones Fay participated in. Fossella's Press Spokesman Craig Donner did not return calls either.
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