Legal News

O'Donnell: Contribution prohibition does not include reimbursement

By Richard Binder

Pierce O'Donnell, the lead attorney representing Hurricane Katrina victims in litigation against the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, has filed a motion to dismiss a federal indictment against him, arguing that the statute under which he is charged does not prohibit reimbursing others who donate to a presidential campaign under their own names.

O'Donnell of Los Angeles-based O'Donnell & Associates was indicted last year on charges that he allegedly reimbursed employees of his law firm, and others, for giving $26,000 in campaign contributions to a committee supporting a presidential candidate, believed to be then-Senator John Edwards. O'Donnell also was indicted on charges of allegedly influencing the treasurer of the committee to make false statements to the Federal Election Commission by failing to reveal "conduit" campaign contributions that were made in 2003.

O'Donnell, who has pleaded not guilty, could face up to 12 years in prison if convicted.

Read the full NLJ story.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on March 26, 2009 (boomark / email).