Note to Reader: Washington is awash in forged, mechanically or electronically copies and proxy-inscribed handwriting. To obtain true samples of a public servant’s handwriting can be a daunting task. The handwriting examples examined for this analysis include:
• An undated, 27-word note with a first-name only signature on House of Representative stationary addressed to a person who invited Mrs. Pelosi to a dinner party. This sample was provided to Graphology Consulting Group by Mrs. Pelosi’s office and is represented to be authentically hers. The sample was supplied with the stipulation that the full text would not be shown in an illustration.
• A secondary example found at Google Images dated December 16, 2002 was sent to Ms. Rita DeSales French, an author from Baltimore, on which was written: “Rita – My family is loving your beautiful book! Thank you. Nancy.” Mrs. Pelosi’s office did not verify nor dispute the validity of the handwriting on the “Rita” letter. Although there is little reason to believe that the handwriting on “Rita” is a forgery or a secretarial facsimile, the handwriting on it is different from the authenticated copy in being less hesitant, more rhythmical, and somewhat less stressed.
• Several signatures, including one on a letter sent to Congressman William Jefferson dated May 24, 2006 asking for his immediate resignation for ethical reasons from the Ways and Means Committee. The signature on this letter is highly likely to be authentic.
