12:15 AM Vito Fossella is pulled over for running a red light and arrested in Alexandria, Virginia. Officers smell alcohol and see his mouth is visibly discolored red.
Vito Fossella fails numerous field sobriety tests.
Fossella reportedly "lies" to police about needing to get to his sick daughter.
7:39 AM Vito Fossella calls and is released into the custody of Laura Fay. [1]
Vito Fossella skips work and several Congressional votes.
1:56 PM Washington Post breaks news of the arrest. [2]
Vito Fossella releases his first statement;
1:00 PM Vito Fossella holds his first press conference. He admits to an "error in judgement". He also admits he was pulled over after dinner with friends in town for the Giants' White House celebration for winning the Super Bowl. [3]
We first find out that Vito Fossella had a .17 BAC, while the legal limit is .08. [4]
It would take approxiamately 11 glasses of wine over two hours for a 200 lbs. male to have a .17 BAC. [5]
Then the Brooklyn Paper reports that Fossella had a BAC of .17 two hours after his arrest. [6]
We find out where Fossella was arrested and that Alexandria Police Officer Jamie Gernatt saw him run a red light at the corner of Seminary Road and Library Lane, in front of a Francis C. Hammond Middle School middle school. [8]
The New York Times first notes he told police he was on his way to pick up his daughter who needed to go to the hospital. Additonally the article reports he fails several sobriety tests including; [9]
- blowing a .133 on a field BAC device
- when asked to recite alphabet D to T he responds by starting with "A" then corrects himself with “D, E, F, H, G, H, I, J, L,” and then fails to finish
- when asked to walk nine steps heel to toe and turn, he sways
Fossella tells officers he had "two or three glasses of wine about two hours earlier". [10]
Fossella's arrest might now trigger a House Ethics Committee investigation.
Craig Donnor is first asked about sick daughter comment to which he replies, “Because these questions deal with the particulars of the legal case, I’m not able to talk about them.” [11]
Daily News breaks first story about Laura Fay; [12]
- makes first connection to the proximatey of her house to where he was arrested, 3 miles away
- asks first question about potential romantic relationship between Fossella and Fay
- connects Fossella and Fay to a July 2003 trip to Europe
- also reports that Fossella "lied" about needing to pick up sick daughter
Republican officials stand by Fossella;
"Until you see something worse [than DWI] and he resigns, he's going to be the candidate," said a Republican operative in Washington. "At this point in the game, a wounded incumbent is better than a no-name candidate."
[15]
Daily News reports Fossella was only one of two members of Congress whose spouses were not listed as attendees at the dinner in Europe. [16]
Daily News reports that Fossella and his friend were asked to leave Logan Tavern after being cut off from drinking; [17]
- Waiter Josh Hahn says "I can't imagine him [Fossella] getting into a car. They were [both] incapable of driving."
- notes that Fossella came into the Logan Tavern bar at 10PM on Wednesday, April 30.
Staten Island Advance asks first direct question about Fossella fathering Fay's child. When asked whether Fay's 3-year-old was the same girl Fossella had to take to the hospital, his spokeswoman declined to comment;
"That is a demeaning and highly inappropriate question that does not deserve an answer," said Susan Del Percio. [18]
NY Post reports that Fossella's wife did not accompany him to the 2003 trip to Europe that Fay also attended. [19]
Fossella returns to work for first time since arrest.
Daily News indicates that Fossella told police he was going to Grimm St., where Fay also lives. [20]
"My personal failings and imperfections have caused enormous pain to the people I love and I am truly sorry.
"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 to continue to do my job and I will work hard to heal the deep wounds I have caused.”
The National Republican Congressional Committee distances itself from Fossella and refuses to indicate if they endorse him for re-election. [21]
House Minority Leader Rep. Boehner makes his first public statement, "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," [22]
The Republican Party commissions polling that started as early as today to find potential nominees for Fossella's seat.[23]
Vito Fossella's first court date as a result of his arrest.