Paul Pelosi, the husband of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to driving while under the influence of alcohol causing harm, and driving with a blood alcohol level of.08 percent or above causing injury.

Amanda Bevins, his lawyer, stood on his behalf at a sentencing in Napa County Superior Court in California and filed a not guilty plea to the charges, which were presented after Pelosi was arrested on May 28 following a nighttime crash.

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Pelosi, who did not appear in court on Wednesday, will be released on his own recognisance and is scheduled to appear again on August 23.

According to a California Highway Patrol collision report, the 82-year-old was attempting to cross SR-29 in late May when his 2021 Porsche was hit by a 2014 Jeep heading northbound on the road. According to the criminal complaint, the automobiles “sustained major collision damage.”

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As per the lawsuit, Pelosi was driving “while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage and a drug and under their combined influence.” According to the complaint, when authorities inquired for identification at the scene, Pelosi gave them both his licence and an “11-99 Foundation” card. According to its website, the foundation is the California Highway Patrol charity, which “provides emergency assistance to California Highway Patrol employees and scholarships to their children.”

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According to a press release from the Napa County District Attorney’s Office, the punishment for the misdemeanour charges “includes up to five years of probation, a minimum of five days in jail, installation of an ignition interlock device, fines and fees, completion of a court-ordered drinking driver class, and other terms.”

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According to a criminal complaint, Pelosi passed sobriety tests at the time of the event, “showing signs of impairment.” According to the criminal complaint, California Highway Patrol decided Pelosi was “the proximate cause of the collision.”

He was born in San Francisco and has been married to California Democrat Nancy Pelosi since 1963. The couple has five children.