Lawyer Pleads Not Guilty to Campaign Finance Violations

Los Angeles trial lawyer Pierce O'Donnell has pleaded not guilty to charges that he violated campaign finance laws.

A trial date was set for Oct. 21, the National Law Journal reports.

The charges stem from allegations that O’Donnell reimbursed his staff and others for $26,000 in campaign contributions, reportedly made to a committee supporting John Edwards. O’Donnell is the lead lawyer in a case against the government that contends mistakes by the Army Corps of Engineers increased floodwaters during Hurricane Katrina.