O’Donnell Pleads Not Guilty to Illegal Campaign Contributions

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Nationally renowned Los Angeles trial attorney Pierce O’Donnell pleaded not guilty Tuesday to misdemeanor charges related to contributions made to former Mayor James Hahn’s first mayoral campaign in 2000.


O’Donnell, a partner at O’Donnell Schaeffer Mortimer LLP, is accused of reimbursing seven friends and business associates for $25,000 in contributions and misidentifying them as the source of the money.


Craig Parsons, a spokesman for the attorney, issued a statement today on behalf of the attorney: “For more than a year, my attorneys and I have tried to work cooperatively with the District Attorney’s Office. We want to move ahead quickly and, if possible, to finally resolve this matter.”


Earlier this month, the California Supreme Court ruled against O’Donnell, who argued that the charges were barred by the law’s statute of limitations.


O’Donnell, who faces 26 misdemeanor counts, was arraigned in Los Angeles Superior Court. He is due in court again on Sept. 20 for a pre-trial hearing. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum of 13 years in jail.


Charges against six of O’Donnell’s co-defendants have been dismissed. His personal trainer remains a defendant in the case. Hahn has denied knowing the source of the donations. O’Donnell is free on $13,000 bail.

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