As Expected, Trial Lawyer Is Indicted on Campaign Finance Charges

Election Law

As Expected, Trial Lawyer Is Indicted on Campaign Finance Charges

Posted Jul 25, 2008, 09:43 am CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss

Los Angeles trial lawyer Pierce O'Donnell has been indicted on charges that he violated campaign finance laws by asking his staff to make $26,000 in campaign contributions that he would reimburse.

The indictment claims the contributions were made to the 2004 presidential campaign of John Edwards, the Daily Journal reports. The Los Angeles Times reported yesterday that the indictment was imminent and said O'Donnell's lawyers contend the case is politically motivated. The accusation is denied by the government.

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.

Before the indictment, O’Donnell had reportedly offered to plead guilty to a misdemeanor in the campaign case and pay a large fine, which would allow him to keep his law license. White & Case partner George Terwilliger III is one of O’Donnell’s defense lawyers.

"Regardless of whatever reason people might attribute to the U.S. Attorney's position on this case, it is clear that imposing a professional death penalty is disproportional to the facts concerning the incident under investigation," he told the Daily Journal.

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