The Associated Press

Fri, May 9, 2008 (2:04 a.m.)

Rep. Vito Fossella of New York has acknowledged fathering a 3-year-old daughter with a woman outside his marriage.

In a statement Thursday Fossella said he is "truly sorry" for the pain he has caused his loved ones.

Fossella's private life came under scrutiny after he was arrested for drunk driving last week in suburban Virginia. He has a court date next week, and could face jail time if convicted. Fossella told police at the time of his arrest that he was going to see his daughter in the area.

Fossella has three children with his wife in Staten Island, N.Y. Fosella says he knows there are questions about his political future. But he says right now any political decisions are "the furthest thing from my mind."