NYC GOP Congressman Guilty of DWI

Vito Fossella could face jail time for bust that revealed secret family
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 18, 2008 4:04 AM CDT
NYC GOP Congressman Guilty of DWI
Rep. Vito Fossella, R-NY, center, exits court with his defense team, including Barry Pollack, left, and Robert Nealon, after his trial on drunken driving charges on Friday, Oct. 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Vito Fossella could be facing 5 days behind bars after being found guilty of drunken driving, the New York Times reports. A hearing in December will determine whether the New York City congressman's blood-alcohol level was high enough to warrant jail time. The May arrest ended Fossella's political career after it emerged he was on his way to visit his mistress and their child.

Friends who had been with Fossella the evening of the arrest said he had been "composed and in control," but the arresting officer said the Republican's eyes were bloodshot and he stunk of booze. The popular Fossella—once considered a potential New York mayor—abandoned re-election plans after the case hit the headlines, giving Democrats the chance to turn the city solidly blue for the first time in 35 years.
(More Vito Fossella stories.)

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