In an e-mail statement prepared by a consultant -- Vito Fossella admits having a daughter three-years-ago with his mistress, divorcee Laura Fay.
She is the retired air force lieutenant colonel who posted bail, last week, when Fossella was arrested for DUI in Virginia.
Fossella now says that he has caused enormous pain to the people he loves -- and he is truly sorry.
"My personal failings and imperfections have caused enormous pain to the people I love and I am truly sorry," said Fossella, who has three children with his wife in Staten Island.
Former Borough President Guy Molinari is Fossella's mentor...
"What Vito has said, I've had conversations with him on a daily basis...he has been wrestling with the family problems here and he has not been able to focus on the world of politics," said Molinari.
Fossella admits he faces a tough fight for re-election this November. But, he says -- making any political decisions right now are furthest from my mind.
But House Minority Leader John Boehner says Fossella has a difficult decision to make now -- not later.
"He's certainly going to have some tough decisions to make over the weekend and I would hope that, and frankly expect that this is a decision between him and his family and his constituents," Boehner said.
The car Fossella was arrested for DUI belongs to Laura Fay.So right now we're all just waiting to see what his next move will be the Republican Party is already mulling over a few names to take over Fosella's congressional seat.
More on Fossella's affair and DUI arrest:
Fossella's private life came under scrutiny after he was arrested for drunken driving last week in suburban Washington. His blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit, and he could face a mandatory five days in jail if convicted.
When Fossella was pulled over, police said he told officers that he was going to see his daughter in the area. The woman who got him out of jail, Laura Fay, is the mother of the child.
"I have had a relationship with Laura Fay, with whom I have a 3-year-old daughter," Fossella said in a statement.
The arrest prompted questions about whether the daughter he told police he was going to see was his child with another woman.
The disclosure clouds Fossella's political future. He faced a surprisingly tough re-election challenge in 2006, and Democrats were hoping to unseat him this year.
"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," he said.
Fossella was elected to Congress in 1997 in a special election to replace Rep. Susan Molinari, who resigned. A graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, he also earned a law degree from Fordham University.
Fossella, 43, serves as a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
There was little support from leaders of his party for him to remain.
A spokeswoman for the House GOP campaign committee said only that they expect the district to continue to elect conservative-minded lawmakers. A spokeswoman for the Democratic campaign committee declined to comment.
"He's politically dead. The only thing that hasn't happened is the autopsy report hasn't been written," said Doug Muzzio, a professor of politics at Baruch College in New York. "He can say he's going to stay all he wants, but come on ..."
Fossella, 43, was elected to Congress in 1997 in a special election to replace Rep. Susan Molinari, who resigned. His socially conservative positions squared nicely with his largely Catholic district. He serves as a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Fossella's work in Congress shifted dramatically following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.
Hundreds of Staten Island residents died in the attacks, and Fossella became a prominent advocate for families of those killed.
As more recovery and rescue workers got sick after toiling at the ground zero site, Fossella pushed for Washington to pay for their health care - an effort that has met with short-term success, but no long-term program.
The statement reads as follows:
"I have had a relationship with Laura Fay, with whom I have a three year old daughter.
"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."
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