US man pleads not guilty over Pelosi threats

A US man accused of targeting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over her support for President Barack Obama's health care reform has pleaded not guilty to making harassing and threatening phone calls.

Gregory Giusti, 48, admitted that he had made at least 48 phone calls to Pelosi's homes in Washington and San Francisco, as well as her offices, threatening to burn down her houses if health care reform passed.

Under federal law, Giusti could face a two-year jail term and a fine of 250,000 dollars if convicted on one charge of making harassing and threatening phone calls to a government official.

His next court appearance was scheduled for Thursday.

Pelosi, 70, a political veteran from San Francisco, was widely credited with the successful passing of Obama's historic health care revamp last month.

The aftermath of the legislative landmark was marked by threats and violence aimed at several Democratic politicians.