Man Pleads Not Guilty to Laundering Donations

Los Angeles attorney Pierce O'Donnell pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 26 misdemeanor counts of laundering political contributions to the 2001 mayoral campaign of James K. Hahn.

The plea was entered in Los Angeles Superior Court by an attorney for O'Donnell, who was not in the courtroom.

O'Donnell could stand trial on the charges as early as November.

He is accused of gathering $25,500 in contributions from employees and associates, giving the money to Hahn's campaign and then reimbursing the donors.