Vita Fossella Pleads Guilty to Virginia DUI

Former US Representative admits drunk driving in Virginia court.

Former Representative Vito Fossella entered a guilty plea in Virginia court Monday. It was the same day that his Virginia DUI jury trial was set to begin.

Fossella, the Republican lawmaker who represented Staten Island New York, was charged with driving under the influence in Alexandria Virginia last May. The arrest report indicated that his blood alcohol content was .17%, over twice the legal limit for intoxication. In the days following the VA DUI arrest, it was learned that Fossella had fathered a child in an extra-marital affair. The combination of events led to his political downfall and he decided to not to run for re-election.

Fossella’s DUI defense lawyer had planned to challenge the breath test evidence, citing faulty equipment. He said that efforts to gain information on the equipment from other courts were unsuccessful and that the congressman decided to accept responsibility for his actions. The recent death of major league baseball player Nick Adenhart by a drunk driver reportedly also influenced Fossella’s decision to plead guilty, as it reinforced the consequences of driving while intoxicated.

Fossella was found guilty of drunk driving last October. He appealed the conviction, which under Virginia DUI law entitled him to a jury trial. He has four days remaining on a five day jail sentence issued last December. He was given credit for the day he served when he was initially arrested for Virginia DUI.

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