Fossella convicted of drunk driving

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 17 (UPI) -- A New York City congressman whose arrest revealed that he had a mistress and child in Virginia was convicted Friday of drunken driving.

Rep. Vito Fossella, R-N.Y., said nothing to reporters as he left a courthouse in Alexandria, the New York Daily News reported. He issued a statement later apologizing for a "serious mistake."

Fossella's father kissed him on the cheek after the verdict.

Fossella is to be sentenced Dec. 8.

The congressman was stopped by police after a White House party honoring the New York Giants for their Super Bowl championship followed by a visit to a bar.

His relationship with Laura Fay, a former Air Force officer Fossella met when she was a White House liaison officer, came to light when she bailed him out of jail.

Fossella, from Staten Island, is not seeking another term. He first entered Congress by winning a special election in 1997.

A social and fiscal conservative, Fossella is married and has three children with his wife.