Prosecutors blame 'auto-generated,' 'boilerplate' language for allegations of drug use against Paul Pelosi

Prosecutors in Napa County, California, are walking back drug allegations in the DUI complaint against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband Paul following his arraignment Wednesday on a pair of misdemeanor charges in a crash that totaled two vehicles and injured the other driver.

The prosecutors confirmed they are alleging he drove under the influence of alcohol on May 28 but not that he had a drug in his system, as indicated in charging documents.

Pelosi’s attorney Amanda Bevins told Fox News Tuesday, "I believe that the drug reference is part of the statutory boilerplate language in the complaint." Assistant District Attorney Paul Gero told the outlet Wednesday that The Napa County District Attorney’s Office agreed with that characterization and told the outlet, "It is boilerplate language auto-generated in the complaint. Our theory is alcohol."

On Wednesday, Paul Pelosi pleaded not guilty to the two counts brought against him after his arrest earlier this year for DUI causing injury and driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent causing injury. He did not appear in court but was instead represented by his lawyer.

Pelosi faces multiple punishments if convicted, including the possibility of five years probation and a minimum of five days in jail. He could also be ordered to pay fines and take part in a drunk driving class, as well as install an ignition interlock device in his car.

A settlement conference has been scheduled for August 23, at which point the prosecution and defense will decide whether a trial is necessary.

Pelosi was arrested shortly after crashing his 2021 Porsche into another vehicle near the intersection of California Route 29 and Oakville Cross Road.

According to court documents, during field sobriety testing, Mr. Pelosi was said to have exhibited "signs of impairment" and officers "observed objective signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication." Investigators later determined he had a blood alcohol content of .082 percent.

During the collision, Pelosi allegedly injured the other driver "while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage and a drug and under their combined influence." The driver, named John Doe in the complaint, claimed he suffered from pain in his upper right arm, right shoulder, and neck the day after the crash.

Pelosi was allegedly "unsteady on his feet," had "slurred" speech, and "had a strong odor of an alcohol beverage emanating from his breath."