Vito’s got friends - Brooklyn GOP backs DWI pol
By Gary Buiso and Helen Klein
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| Rep. Vito Fossella said he made “an error in judgment.” |
Disgraced lawmaker Vito Fossella may have been busted in Virginia, but in Brooklyn, his friends still got his back.
The Republican congressman was arrested in Alexandria, Va. on May 1, after a night out with Staten Islanders in town to cheer the New York Giants’ visit to the White House.
Court records show that the six-term congressman, who also represents Staten Island, had over twice the legal limit of alcohol in his blood.
In Virginia, the legal limit is .08 percent. Fossella’s was .17 percent, it was reported. He faces a mandatory sentence of five days in jail if he is convicted.
The incident continues to draw scrutiny from tabloids, who now trail Laura Fay”who picked the married pol up from jail. Fossella staffers have described the 45-year-old, retired Air Force colonel and single mom as “a friend,” but questions remain why he called Fay instead of a paid staffer.
So far, supporters are standing firm.
Craig Eaton, the chairperson of the Kings County Republican Party, told this paper, “We are still fully behind Congressman Fossella. It was apparently an error in judgment that he’s taken full responsibility for. We support him wholeheartedly in his re-election campaign and expect he will be victorious.”
Stephen Maresca, a Brooklyn Republican, said he did not think the incident would dramatically affect Fossella’s chances of being re-elected.
While noting, “I was very surprised,” Maresca stressed, “It could have been a one-time thing. The idea that he should resign is ridiculous.
“I still think he is doing a good job,” Maresca went on. “I think it’s nothing more than an indiscretion, that shows we have human beings serving in office, not people we deify. I don’t think it’s anything that will hurt in the long run.”
But a local insider who is an official within the Kings County Republican Party said that all that glittered wasn’t gold.
“He’s not the pretty boy and little alter boy people make him out to be,” said the person, who requested anonymity.
The insider said the incident is fodder for local GOPers who don’t get along with Fossella.
“From what I’ve heard,” remarked the pundit, “[State Senator] Marty Golden’s people are just salivating at this because they can’t stand him and would absolutely love to see him fall.” Not to mention, there were past rumors that Golden was interested in the position. “There was talk last year that Marty would primary him, but it didn’t go anywhere,” the insider added.
Golden spokesperson John Quaglione rejected the speculation.
“They have gone out to dinner together, they have been to each other’s homes,” he said. “They maintain a relationship on a personal and professional level.”
“They stood shoulder to shoulder saving the Fort Hamilton Army Base, are working to improve the 86th Street train station and to save Victory Memorial Hospital, and countless other issues,” he added.
Quaglione said his boss isn’t eyeing Fossella’s seat.
“I’ve heard the conversation of him running for governor or mayor”but never heard of him running for Congress,” he said.
Fossella, 43, is due back in court on May 12, and could face a trial 60 days thereafter.
At a press conference held May 2, Fossella vowed to never make the same mistake again.
“The night before last, I made an error in judgment,” he said.
“I take full responsibility for my actions and recognize that I have embarrassed my family, the constituents of the 13th Congressional District and myself. For that, I apologize,” Fossella continued.
“The bottom line is I know better. I know better than to get behind a wheel of a car even after one drink.”
Fossella would not say whether he had a drinking problem, and would not say how many drinks he consumed, or where.
He said he would not resign.
“I am blessed to be the father of some very, very beautiful children. I need to set an example for them and all the young people here in New York. Unfortunately, I failed to set that example the other night and I deeply regret that,” the lawmaker said.
Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney Randolph Sengel reportedly said on Friday, “as a general rule we don’t plea-bargain drunk driving cases.” He did not discuss specifics of Fossella’s case.
Two Democrats, Steven Harrison and Domenic Recchia, are vying for Fossella’s seat, and will face off in a primary later this year.
In a statement, Harrison said that “driving while intoxicated is a very serious charge.”
“As elected officials and potential elected officials we have an obligation to set an example for society. Lawmakers cannot expect the people to follow the laws if they themselves disregard them,” he continued.
“Over 17,000 people die every year as a result of such irresponsible and illegal action, according to Mothers against Drunk Driving Only.”
At press time, Recchia did not return a call for comment.
A former city councilmember, Fossella won his seat in a 1997 special election.
The Republican congressman was arrested in Alexandria, Va. on May 1, after a night out with Staten Islanders in town to cheer the New York Giants’ visit to the White House.
Court records show that the six-term congressman, who also represents Staten Island, had over twice the legal limit of alcohol in his blood.
In Virginia, the legal limit is .08 percent. Fossella’s was .17 percent, it was reported. He faces a mandatory sentence of five days in jail if he is convicted.
The incident continues to draw scrutiny from tabloids, who now trail Laura Fay”who picked the married pol up from jail. Fossella staffers have described the 45-year-old, retired Air Force colonel and single mom as “a friend,” but questions remain why he called Fay instead of a paid staffer.
So far, supporters are standing firm.
Craig Eaton, the chairperson of the Kings County Republican Party, told this paper, “We are still fully behind Congressman Fossella. It was apparently an error in judgment that he’s taken full responsibility for. We support him wholeheartedly in his re-election campaign and expect he will be victorious.”
Stephen Maresca, a Brooklyn Republican, said he did not think the incident would dramatically affect Fossella’s chances of being re-elected.
While noting, “I was very surprised,” Maresca stressed, “It could have been a one-time thing. The idea that he should resign is ridiculous.
“I still think he is doing a good job,” Maresca went on. “I think it’s nothing more than an indiscretion, that shows we have human beings serving in office, not people we deify. I don’t think it’s anything that will hurt in the long run.”
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“He’s not the pretty boy and little alter boy people make him out to be,” said the person, who requested anonymity.
The insider said the incident is fodder for local GOPers who don’t get along with Fossella.
“From what I’ve heard,” remarked the pundit, “[State Senator] Marty Golden’s people are just salivating at this because they can’t stand him and would absolutely love to see him fall.” Not to mention, there were past rumors that Golden was interested in the position. “There was talk last year that Marty would primary him, but it didn’t go anywhere,” the insider added.
Golden spokesperson John Quaglione rejected the speculation.
“They have gone out to dinner together, they have been to each other’s homes,” he said. “They maintain a relationship on a personal and professional level.”
“They stood shoulder to shoulder saving the Fort Hamilton Army Base, are working to improve the 86th Street train station and to save Victory Memorial Hospital, and countless other issues,” he added.
Quaglione said his boss isn’t eyeing Fossella’s seat.
“I’ve heard the conversation of him running for governor or mayor”but never heard of him running for Congress,” he said.
Fossella, 43, is due back in court on May 12, and could face a trial 60 days thereafter.
At a press conference held May 2, Fossella vowed to never make the same mistake again.
“The night before last, I made an error in judgment,” he said.
“I take full responsibility for my actions and recognize that I have embarrassed my family, the constituents of the 13th Congressional District and myself. For that, I apologize,” Fossella continued.
“The bottom line is I know better. I know better than to get behind a wheel of a car even after one drink.”
Fossella would not say whether he had a drinking problem, and would not say how many drinks he consumed, or where.
He said he would not resign.
“I am blessed to be the father of some very, very beautiful children. I need to set an example for them and all the young people here in New York. Unfortunately, I failed to set that example the other night and I deeply regret that,” the lawmaker said.
Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney Randolph Sengel reportedly said on Friday, “as a general rule we don’t plea-bargain drunk driving cases.” He did not discuss specifics of Fossella’s case.
Two Democrats, Steven Harrison and Domenic Recchia, are vying for Fossella’s seat, and will face off in a primary later this year.
In a statement, Harrison said that “driving while intoxicated is a very serious charge.”
“As elected officials and potential elected officials we have an obligation to set an example for society. Lawmakers cannot expect the people to follow the laws if they themselves disregard them,” he continued.
“Over 17,000 people die every year as a result of such irresponsible and illegal action, according to Mothers against Drunk Driving Only.”
At press time, Recchia did not return a call for comment.
A former city councilmember, Fossella won his seat in a 1997 special election.
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