Police dashcam video has been released in the arrest of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul Pelosi for drunken driving.
Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Pelosi pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in California for charges dating back to May.
The video shows Mr Pelosi outside of his vehicle after being pulled over in the Napa Valley at around 11.45pm.
Mr Pelosi was sentenced to serve five days in jail but Judge Joseph Solga said that he earned credit for serving four days already, since he served two actual days in jail and received two days for good behaviour credits. The last day will be served through an eight-hour work programme.
The House speaker and Mr Pelosi married in 1963 and have five grown children. He will also have to take part in a three-month drunk driving programme, have one year with an ignition interlock device and serve three years of probation.
Mr Pelosi pleaded guilty to violating California Vehicle Code 23153(a), which prohibits driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and causing harm to a person, after his 2021 Porsche and another driver’s 2014 Jeep sustained “major collision damage” in a crash after he allegedly hit another vehicle. Another charge was dropped in the interest of justice.
Amanda Bevins, his lawyer, was present for the sentencing, but Mr Pelosi wasn’t. Mr Pelosi initially pleaded not guilty to charges after he allegedly hit the other vehicle on 28 May. He reportedly gave responding officers his California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation card. The charity supports police but said it would be reviewing Mr Pelosi’s membership.
He pleaded not guilty to DUI causing injury and driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 per cent or higher, which would result in five years probation and a minimum of five days in jail.
Ms Pelosi called the case, a “private matter.”
