Staten Island’s Fossella convicted of drunken driving
by Staten Island Advance
Friday October 17, 2008, 7:17 PM
A Virginia judge has found disgraced Rep. Vito Fossella guilty of drunken driving charges.
“The court finds the commonwealth has met its burden of proof and finds the defendant guilty,” said Alexandria (Va.) General District Court Judge Becky Moore in announcing her verdict.
Fossella will be sentenced Dec. 8, when the court will decide if prosecutors had met the legal requirement for high blood alcohol content, which would mean a mandatory five-day jail sentence.
Lawyers for the congressmen tried several times today — without success – to have charges and evidence thrown out. They produced several witnesses who were with Fossella the night of his arrest to testify that he was sober.
Even Fossella took the stand to maintain his innocence.
Arresting officer Jamie Gernatt told the court the politician failed to adequately pass sobriety tests when he was pulled over after running a red light.
Fossella’s DWI arrest led to revelations that the congressman had fathered a child with a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel during an extramarital affair. The woman, divorced Alexandria resident Laura Fay, picked Fossella up from the jailhouse after he was released. In the wake of the scandal, Fossella announced that he would not seek re-election next month.
