Former Staten Island congressman Vito Fossella was expected to begin the appeal of his DUI conviction today, but in a surprise move he pleaded guilty instead. The change of heart, it’s being reported, was triggered in part by the death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart at the hands of an intoxicated motorist last week. It probably shouldn’t have taken such a tragic, high-profile incident to show Fossella that drunk driving is wrong, but this is the same guy who had a secret second family in Virginia, so it’s better late than never, we guess. [NYDN]