Rep. Fossella reveals child from affair

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rep. Vito J. Fossella, New York Republican, ran a red light and wrecked his life. A drunken-driving arrest last week led to talk of an extramarital affair, and then yesterday an acknowledgement of a child from that affair.

“My personal failings and imperfections have caused enormous pain to the people I love and I am truly sorry,” said Mr. Fossella, who lives in his Staten Island district with his wife and their three children.

Mr. Fossella is the only Republican member of Congress from New York City, and the paternity revelation could lead to the loss of a seat in Congress at a time when House Republicans face the prospect of a second grim November of election setbacks.

House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican, said he expected Mr. Fossella to make decisions about his future in a matter of days, not months.

“I think Mr. Fossella is going to have some decisions to make over the weekend. And I would hope that, and frankly, expect that this is a decision between he, his family and his constituents,” Mr. Boehner said.

Mr. Fossella came under scrutiny after he was arrested in Northern Virginia on suspicion of drunken driving. Police said they stopped him after he drove through a red light. When Mr. Fossella was pulled over, police said, he told officers that he was going to see his daughter in the area. That prompted questions about who the daughter was.

“I have had a relationship with Laura Fay, with whom I have a 3-year-old daughter,” Mr. Fossella said in his statement. It was Miss Fay who got him out of jail after the arrest. She is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and worked for a time as a liaison to Congress.

Police said Mr. Fossella’s blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit, and he faces a mandatory five days in jail if convicted. A court appearance on the drunken-driving arrest that had been planned for next week was canceled, and he is now not expected back in court until June.

Mr. Fossella said he had no immediate plans to resign.

“While I understand that there will be many questions, including those about my political future, making any political decisions right now are furthest from my mind. Over the coming weeks and months, I will continue to do my job and I will work hard to heal the deep wounds I have caused,” he said.

Leaders of his party gave little support for him to remain.

A spokeswoman for the House Republican Party campaign committee said only that they expect the district to continue to elect conservative-minded lawmakers.