Staten Island Conflicted Over Fossella’s Conviction
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It will be more than a month before Staten Island-Brooklyn Congressman Vito Fossella finds out whether he spends time behind bars for his DWI conviction.
But for some of his constituents on Staten Island, Virginia officials might as well imprison him now.
"I think he's a disgrace. He should resign from his position in Congress," said a voter.
Fossella's arrest in a Washington, DC suburb in May set off a chain of events which led to his admission that he was an adulterer and also had an illegitimate child.
Friday he expressed remorse again for the entire ordeal, saying in a statement, “I made a serious mistake and I want to again apologize for setting the wrong example."
Some are willing to give him another chance.
"It happened but I love the guy. I love the whole family, I love the Fossella family," said a voter.
"I would vote for him in a minute. I've seen people do much worse," said another.
Others say the DWI conviction speaks to the larger issue of career politicians and the choices they make.
"I'm just back on the Island after being away for a few years and things have not gotten better," said a local.
The political fallout from the scandal still has to be determined. Fossella is the only Republican in the city's congressional delegation, and if his seat goes to a Democrat, it would be the first time in 35 years the city would not have a Republican representative in the House.